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| Friday, 14 January 2005 |
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Leader of the TMVP V. Muralitharan alias Col. Karuna in a message to the Tamil people yesterday states: "Due to the totally unexpected tsunami wave experienced on December 26 and the tragic situation caused by the waters of the sea encroaching on the land, over 30,000 of our countrymen have perished up to now. More than a 100,000 persons have been made destitute. Children have lost their parents and parents, their precious children and relatives. Possessions that have been acquired with the earnings of an entire lifetime have fallen prey to this sea demon. It is with a deep sense of shock that I express the sorrow that fills my heart, for a people who have been stricken by the most horrific and heart-rending disaster in history. (I will not desert you and promise to dedicate myself to do all that is required of me at this time). The Tamil people living in the North and East and other communities living in the Ampara district who endured 20 years of cruel war, are undergoing great suffering due to this disaster. Even in the midst of this disaster, Prabakaran still turns his inhuman countenance towards the East, and more of the Wanni's cruelty is being directed at the people of the East. The abduction of underage boys and girls from destitute families has begun once again. Stocks of food being brought for distribution by relief agencies and compassionate fellow countrymen are being waylaid and plundered. Stocks of food and weapons stashed away by Prabakaran to be used during time of war have been washed away by the sea. Many camps have been destroyed and cadres killed in the Wanni. It should be questioned whether filling this vacuum by abducting children and young boys and girls is a trait worthy of a liberating leader posing as the sole leader of the Tamil people. Not stopping at this, he further displays his cruelty by prohibiting compassionate people of other areas from helping in relief work during this disaster. Prabakaran's followers are trying to convince foreign governments and aid agencies of the myth that they are capable of handling the disastrous situation that has arisen. It is a complete lie that relief distribution is taking place through the TRO, which posed as a charitable organisation and obtained funds that were instead utilised to strengthen the LTTE's war machinery over the last two decades. National and international organisations should recognise the true nature of the TRO. Therein, these organisations should reject all attempts made to secure aid directly. Furthermore, the attempts being made at this time by Prabakaran to deceive the international community inviting leaders and dignitaries of foreign countries including the United Nations General Secretary, Kofi Annan, to visit areas under his control with a view to convince them of his separate state concept and that he is the sole leader of the Tamil people, show his utter contempt for the Tamil race and his efforts to deceive them as well. Instead it is eminently more suitable to put into action a plan by which the dear Tamil people who really have been made destitute, will receive immediate relief. The Tamil community as a whole needs to clearly understand this situation and firmly stand together to prevent him from using this disaster as a means by which to maintain his organisation. I express my heartfelt sorrow and compassion for all of you who have been affected by this disaster. I will always be with you and make every commitment to you. On this occasion, I appeal to the Tamil people as a whole to protect yourselves from Prabakaran's fatal clutches and make every effort to rise above the disaster you have faced by making use of the aid received from all over the world for your collective welfare. Further, I would like to state that my members and I will continuously stand together to safeguard the rights of the Tamil people in the East." |
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