
Book release – Tamil translation of “Unbroken Chains by Adele Balasingham”
The release of the Tamil translation of the book, “Unbroken Chains – Explorations into the Jaffna Dowry System- by Adele Balasingham”, took place in Kilinochchi town yesterday, 16 July 2008.
 The book was translated into Tamil by her husband, Anton Balasingham, and appeared as a series of articles in a local publication, Velichcham”, in the 1990’s. This translation was published in the book form and was released yesterday. At the time of publication of the original book, it created excitement among the Tamils which prompted the translation into Tamil. Adele Balasingham’s work for the empowerment of Tamil women is still remembered with deep gratitude by the women, both LTTE members and civilians, with whom she worked hard for this goal. Action against the dowry system was part of this overall goal. The work of LTTE women, ably assisted by Adele Balasingham, against the dowry system resulted in the modification of the customary law of the Tamils in the Tamil Eelam law and gave full and equal property rights to women. At the book release yesterday it was noted that this change of law was a historic moment for the Tamil people and that Adele Balasingham contribution towards it must be acknowledged. 
Speakers also noted that Adele Balasingham through this book will become the catalyst for many future Tamil feminist writers to write boldly on the status of Tamil women to break the “Unbroken Chains”.
17 July 2008
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