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“A heinous crime against unarmed LTTE cadres engaged in humanitarian work”

Civilian Based Organisations (CBO’s) in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu and many other places have strongly condemned the killing of Batticaloa- Amparai LTTE Head of the Political Division Lt.Col.Kaushalyan along with three colleagues, former Amparai Parliamentarian Chandranehru Arianayagam and his driver in an ambush between military controlled Welikanda and Punani in the Polonnaruwa – Batticaloa border on 7 Feb 2005.

Excerpts:

University Students Union:

“Killing of Lt. Col. Kaushalyan, Head of the LTTE Batticaloa-Amparai Political Division and his team along with Human Rights Activist and former Amparai Parliamentarian Chandranehru Arianayagam, is a heinous crime against unarmed humanitarian workers. Targetting humanitarian workers who were returning after serious discussions on relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development to a people who have fallen victims to an unprecedented natural disaster, is a dastardly crime and deserves condemnation from all lovers of humanity.

A government that continues with its usual pattern of discrimination, extending it to distribution of international humanitarian aid, stooping to such low level of utilising a ‘dissident Karuna’ label to exterminate unarmed LTTE cadres while on a humanitarian mission. We consider this act as a provocative move to draw the LTTE back into the war equation. We wish to convey our salutations to the Martyrs and our condolences to the bereaving family of Mr.Chandranehru Arianayagam”

Tamil National Vigilance Movement:

“We strongly condemn this dastardly crime and the government’s malicious intent in converting Batticaloa-Amparai as the playing field in a game of hides and seek to weaken Tamil unity. Targetting an unarmed political activist who worked relentlessly to provide relief to the victims of a natural disaster, is an act of cowardice and blatant violation of the cease fire agreement. While condoling with the family of Mr.Chandranehru Arianayagam on the untimely demise of a Human Rights Worker and a former legislator, we salute the Martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the service to their people”

Consortium of CBO’s, Jaffna:

Consortium of Jaffna CBO’s vehemently condemns the killings carried out by elements that are acting on a ‘different’ agenda totally detrimental to achieving lasting peace in this island. This incident has only reinforced the position that the Sri Lankan Military establishment would never tolerate a peaceful settlement of the national problem, always obsessed with a military solution and a majority mind-set. If the government intends making use of reactionary elements to achieve its aim of destabilising Tamil solidarity, it is only pushing the Tamils to take inevitable decisions. Killings of this nature strengthen the resolve of the Tamil people to ensure a life free of military occupation and subjugation”.

Karainagar National Uprising Movement:

We condemn the treacherous killings of Batticaloa-Amparai LTTE Political Head, his colleagues and Human Rights Activist Chandranehru Arianayagam by armed men who have nothing other than to act according to their masters. This is a serious blow to the efforts undertaken to provide relief to tsunami victims and a deadly blow at that for the peace process. Saluting the Martyrs who sacrificed their lives on a noble mission, we wish to convey our condolences to the bereaving families of Former M.P. Chandranehru Arianayagam and his driver”.

Similar statements have been issued by the Trincomalee District Consortium of Tamils, Council for Advancement of Education, Trincomalee, Trincomalee Town Women’s Development Centre and the CBO’s Consortium of Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu and the Trade Unions Consortium of Mannar.

09 February 2005

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