Over 50,000 throng in Mannar for the Tamil Uprising SL Military exhibits arrogance and animosity
The Tamil western coastal town of Mannar saw an unprecedented gathering of about 50,000 people packed with emotion, obviously because of the unanimity in expressing their frustration over the state of political vacuum and the stalled peace process. More conspicuous was their feeling of resentment over the manner in which the SL military paraded the streets, exhibiting both their arrogance and the military hardware, which many observers said was seen by the people with a sense of cynicism. Ironically, an observer said, the Tamil people have seen and experienced the devastation caused by these lethal weapons during the height of war and more importantly have also been witness to their freedom fighters taking over with ease these killing machines when they successfully evicted the occupying army that fled during the LTTE’s massive offensive ‘Oyaatha Alaigal’ (Unceasing Waves).
 Unlike in Vavuniya and Batticaloa, the military occupied towns in the Tamil homeland where Tamil Uprisings took place, Mannar had a difference in that the SL military was seemingly over-panicked and took positions in large numbers with tanks and armoured vehicles positioned menacingly in vantage points, heavily armed soldiers in ‘attention’ as if they were getting ready for a confrontation against enemy troops. This animosity, observers say, was totally uncalled for in the context of the non-violent and peaceful demonstration the Tamil people are engaged in to tell aloud to the international community their plight within the peace equation. 
The Tamil National Flag was hoisted in the midst of adamant military interruption, circumvented finally with the intervention of Tamil National Alliance legislators who communicated with the military heirarchy and brought about a calm atmosphere befitting the ceremonial flag hoisting by the father of the first Martyr from Mannar, Ansar. The proclamation of the Tamil Uprising was read over and endorsed by the people as was done in Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu. 
TNA legislators, Civilian Based Organisations, Religious Dignitaries representing Christian, Hindu and Muslim faiths and the NGO community actively participated in the Uprising. Tamil speaking Muslims from the various hamlets of Mannar enthusiastically participated in the Uprising and demonstrated the sense of fraternity they have with their Tamil brethren.
29 September 2005
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Europe which has a total population of 800 million is made up of 45 language based nation states. South Asia which has a total population of one billion, (1000 million) is comprised of four states. Who is preventing and therefore benefiting by limiting new nation-states in South Asia?
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