“The end of war does not guarantee peace. The conflict in the island is far from over and violence continues to happen against the Tamil Nation in their homeland. Norway can rectify the mistakes of the peace process by being a strong voice against Sri Lanka’s crimes against the unarmed and defenseless Tamil people.” says the International Council of Eelam Tamils.
Issuing a statement after meeting a cross section of Norwegian Parliamentarians the International Council of Eelam Tamils says; “The Tamil representatives and the Norwegian parliamentarians spoke in detail about the ongoing crisis. They specifically discussed the demilitarization in the North and East as prerequisite for genuine reconciliation. The Tamil delegation further requested Norway to play a leading role in bringing out a resolution in the UNHRC towards International independent investigation. Tamil representatives also insisted that a meaningful peace in the island must be based on the right to self-determination through a UN monitored referendum, not imposed solutions from the international community like the Northern Provincial Council.”
We publish below the statement in full;
The International Council of Eelam Tamils (ICET), with the participation of the British Tamils Forum (BTF) met with parliamentarians from both the opposition and ruling parties in Norway to discuss the ongoing crisis of military occupation and Sinhala-settler colonialism. In light of Norway’s role as a peace facilitator, Tamil representatives discussed the problematic role of Mr. Solheim in tilting the parity of status against the LTTE during the peace process. They spoke to parliamentarians about how Norway can make a more constructive contribution to a sustainable peace in the island by taking direct action against the ongoing structural genocide of the Tamil Nation.
“Four years after the war, the Tamil Nation is facing severe crisis through total military occupation and Sinhala settlements in the North and East,” The destruction of the LTTE and the de facto state-an expression of earned sovereignty-has accelerated a decades old policy of militarization and state sponsored settlements in the Tamil homeland,” said Krisna Saravanamuttu, spokesperson of the ICET. Parliamentarians from both the ruling and opposition parties agreed that Norway can, and must, do more to rectify its own mistakes in the peace process through restrictive sanctions on all individuals and companies involved with the occupation.
The Tamil representatives and the Norwegian parliamentarians spoke in detail about the ongoing crisis. They specifically discussed the demilitarization in the North and East as prerequisite for genuine reconciliation. The Tamil delegation further requested Norway to play a leading role in bringing out a resolution in the UNHRC towards International independent investigation. Tamil representatives also insisted that a meaningful peace in the island must be based on the right to self-determination through a UN monitored referendum, not imposed solutions from the international community like the Northern Provincial Council.
The end of war does not guarantee peace. The conflict in the island is far from over and violence continues to happen against the Tamil Nation in their homeland. Norway can rectify the mistakes of the peace process by being a strong voice against Sri Lanka’s crimes against the unarmed and defenseless Tamil people. Our representatives will continue to meet with Norwegian civil servants and parliamentarians to continue our efforts both before and after the country’s elections.
The ICET is a non-partisan body and met with a cross section of parties including the Christian Democratic Party, Progress Party, Conservative Party, Workers Party, and Socialist Left Party.
Mickey Cooke / July 4, 2013
While everyone has blamed the Sinhalese majority of resettling people in the so called Tamil areas. I – a non Sri Lankan would beg to defer, from the article above. The Tamil Diaspora should now assist the Tamil farmers and citizens left – as remnants of the war. I have not heard of any economic aid being offered. What about funding educations centres, medical centres and infrastructure improvements? This is conveniently left to the Sri Lankan Government to foot the bill. The refugee camps too are funded and run by the country of Sri Lanka.
If the International Council of Eelam Tamils is so concerned, then they must step up to the plate. I believe the Sri Lankan Government has invited all back, to Sri Lanka. It may be time to give up the luxurious living in the west, and return to the hardship that was once home. It may also be time to start rebuilding – if you feel so deeply about your homeland you claim is yours.
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M o o n / July 4, 2013
If you know how Gota manipulated the Dual Citizenship – a 1948 Act and
got away with it how does one expect the Tamils who wish to serve their
community directly fulfill their wish?
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Lanka Muslim, UK / July 5, 2013
Sri Lanka Govt. invites the Diaspora only in words. In action it prevents those who wants to go to the country. Examples; The Delayed Process of the grant of Dual Citizenship and Passport Restrictions to those who have sought Asylum in other countries, particularly to the Tamils. Still there are those who invest in various projects to help the people which they do with much difficulties as they are not allowed by various elements in the country to do so freely without obstacles.
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Ben Hurling / July 5, 2013
Norwegian Politicians meddling with SL uninvited again? Summer vacation time in Norway. Politicians taking time off to meet racist LTTE monkeys have nothing else to do, I guess. Or have they learned from Canadian politicians? There are votes to be gained from the LTTE die-ass-pora in Norway. National elections in Norway are around the corner, in September.
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EW Golding / July 4, 2013
Unknown faces to the public in Sri Lanka – maybe well known in the diaspora, etc. Why not give the names?
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Bedrock Barney / July 4, 2013
ICET! This is separate from the GTF, BTF and TGTE or is it? The inability of Sri Lankan Tamil politicians to present a united front in SL seems to have infected the Diaspora as well. The revelation that KP, Daya Master and Thamilini having applied for UPFA nominations is stunning. What gives? You have to get along to go along.
Note to Krishna: Not a good idea to tell the Norwegians that they ‘can and must’ undo the mistakes they have made. They can and must do only what they choose to do. Not take that kind of talk from a guy who doesn’t sound like he has spent much time in SL. Just saying….
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kris / July 4, 2013
Trying to take Norway for another ride
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Spotlight / July 4, 2013
Or Norway trying to take Sri Lanka for a ride?
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Native Vedda / July 5, 2013
Spotlight
Or Norway trying to take both stupid people for a ride?
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Ben Hurling / July 5, 2013
How about a hosting a bunch of stupid people from Norway in Sri Lanka? To decide upon Norway’s future. That way we can return the unwanted favour from Norway to Sri Lanka. LOL!
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Native Vedda / July 6, 2013
Ben Hurling
“How about a hosting a bunch of stupid people from Norway in Sri Lanka? To decide upon Norway’s future.”
Thats a very good idea, please do try.
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Rod / July 4, 2013
Why can not Sri Lanka military be in anywhere in the country? What is this Sinhala colonization. Then is there Tamil colonisation in Wellawatta and kotahena in Colombo. Now it is in Dehiwala, Colombo 4 and suburbs? 70% of Tamils live out side the northern and eastern provinces.
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j.muthu / July 4, 2013
Rod , Tamils live in south not settled by your govt. they buy their properties and peacefully settling their. this is not the case in north or east. all criminal Buddhist settled by Tamil owned properties and lands. Tamils still live in refugee camps in their own land where Sinhala criminals settled by govt. you people free loaders, lazy and brainless lot. People always like their neighbours civilized ones not thugs, rapist and free lodgers. Look one moda monk planting Buddha statue in middle of Muslim school play ground, what a disgrace for lord Buddha. I will tell you again Praba made mistake that’s why we tamils paying huge price, now your turn Mahinda thug rajapakse had a brilliant chance to solve this burning problem peacefully. He is making worse than previous bleeding Sinhala Buddhist leaders. every leader of yours continuously fooling Sinhala masses. soon all will change if he doesn’t change or you all will regret one day.
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Rod / July 4, 2013
Sinhalease or others can not buy land under Thesavalami law? What equality?
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Peace Lover / July 4, 2013
thats not true Rod many Sinhalese have bought lands in Jaffna now so your comments about thesavalamai is wrong
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Native Vedda / July 4, 2013
Rod
Thesawalamai was meant to deny low class and low caste people the right to buy real estate (prime land) from upper caste upper class area. Nothing to do with Sinhalese or others
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Lanka Muslim, UK / July 5, 2013
Does not the Kandyan Peasantry Law protect the lands of the Kandyan Sinhalese. If the Sinhalese were not allowed to buy land in the North how is that they now go back to settle in their own properties? Just off the head views.
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sarojini / July 9, 2013
Are you implying that there are no Tamils in Kandy ???? The Tamils are all over SL. They are 36 % in Ratnapura . Can you give the % of Sinhalese in the North? There are no Sinhala , Tamil or Muslim areas . This is called democracy to live any where you want . Anyone can live any where in SL . Get over it.
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sam / July 4, 2013
nonsense… LTTE is the biggest devil in the world and also to our lanka..we can’t think anymore LTTE terrorism is over now… after prabakaran’s death…we can’t think everything is over..it is not…someone trying to start again…that. we all are get together and not give a anychance to LTTE for a terrorism
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Spotlight / July 4, 2013
Cuba, North Korea, Iran all have borne sanctions and survived. Bush finally had to fabricate a story to invade Iraq. The diaspora is comfortable and obviously very well fed. Who will bear the consequences of sanctions first? The people in the Wanni of course; long before the city dwellers and politicians feel it. But does the diaspora care?
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bganendra / July 4, 2013
J Muthu- I welcome your comments.Gota’s white van will come to meet you!!
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / July 4, 2013
A non entity meets an irrelevance. How interesting.
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justice / July 4, 2013
The north and east are under army rule – this is the truth.
Tamils in these areas live in fear.
White Vans run in the south,but in the northeast,abductions are done in broad daylight by the army.
Abducted persons – students,villagers etc. are taken to secret army camps and held incommunicado for varying periods of time.
Thus,the army exercises “judicial powers” – unlawfully.
Police refuse to accept complaints from relatives.Even if accepted in rare instances,the complaint is written in sinhalese which complainants cannot understand.If they refuse to sign,they are are threatened.
The army controls every aspect of familial,occupational,religious and business activities of citizens.
Citizens’ lands are being grabbed by the army.
Military Governors ignore the goings on.
All this does not happen in the south.
Norway cannot correct this state of affairs – it would be intrusion into the affairs of a sovereign state.
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Goraka / July 4, 2013
Where is BBS? Aren’t they suppose to be at the meeting with Norwegians? Traitors!
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Maniwasagam / July 5, 2013
You all were with me before 80s and after leaving, you supported blood thirsty Prabakaran to exterminate most of my people. Now in the name of diaspora, you want to take some more people. You now do not have anything to do with your money and want to play with poor people. A land one born is more than enough to live and die peacefully and no need of crying for dual citizenship. This is called pure greediness. Many of us are struggling to survive. If you have a genuine feeling, you come to Sri Lanka and help us rather than dreaming in an unrealistic world.
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Spotlight / July 5, 2013
Of course they can’t come. They ‘can’t bear’ the heat, the mosquitoes, the food. No, they are prepared to come and visit. Stay at the Crescat or one of the high rise apartments. A quick tour of the North (many are not too bothered about the Eastern Tamils)and then go back to Norway (or whatever ‘western’ nation) and bemoan the suffering of ‘their people’ and ask their masters to make another Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq out of Sri Lanka.
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Spotlight / July 5, 2013
Of course there are power hungry Tamil politicians who will act as their catspaw within Sri Lanka.
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Native Vedda / July 6, 2013
Spotlight
“Of course there are power hungry Tamil politicians who will act as their catspaw within Sri Lanka.”
Racist JVP talking.
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Chinniah / July 9, 2013
They can tolk with everyone, But nothing going to happen. But these people got money from the Norwagian govt. Let them enjoy.
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Sandilyan / July 10, 2013
We Tamils go on prattling about Sinhala colonisation around the world wearing high quality suites. Have we forgotten that the actual colonisation was by the Tamils, where the British brought over half a million Indian Tamils and settled in the highlands in the name of tea plantation workers? These Indian Tamils physically displaced the inhabitant Sinhalese. The Indian Tamils were given all facilities for settlement free of charge. Education, health, food under ration card and what not were given.
How long are we going to prattle about this colonisation? We still have not understood that there is no Tamil land as such in the island. There can be only one race which is SriLankan. Tamils origin is from Tamil Nadu.
Of the total Tamil population of 3,113,247 (both Indian & SriLankan Tamils), 1,515,971 populate outside the North & East, which is 48.69%. When 48.69% of the Tamil population live outside N&E, how the hell could someone argue that N&E is Tamil land? Sinhalese people also live in the N&E.
Historically north was populated with the Sinhala people.
Therefore, let us cut the crap and let the people live in peace. This going around business by the Tamil suites has become a business today.
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