EPDP leader Douglas Devananda has written to Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar calling upon the Norwegian Government to adopt effective measures to control the LTTE which does not care for international opinion but kills, abducts and attacks civilians with the aim of becoming the ‘Sole Representative of the Tamil People’ by the process of elimination of political opponents.
The full text of the letter:
"You are fully aware that ever since the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE was signed in February 2002, the LTTE had been engaged in attacks, abductions and killing of civilians including political opponents.
" In recent times the LTTE has intensified its killings of members of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), the only Tamil political party in the Sri Lankan Parliament that refuses to fall in line with the fascist goals of the LTTE.
" You are also fully aware of the numerous attack on and killing of key members of the EPDP by the LTTE during the months of July and August 2004.
" We believe that following these incidents, the Royal Norwegian Government and other members of the international community would have sent appropriate messages to the LTTE, demanding that the LTTE puts an end to its murderous activities. However, it is now very clear that the LTTE has become emboldened to intensify its killing of key EPDP members. This only proves that the LTTE does not care for international opinion. These killings are done with impunity.
" On 11th September 2004, in Kayts, Jaffna the LTTE shot and killed Mayavan Chandramohan alias Aruldas, just outside his home. Mayavan Chandramohan was a former Chairman of the Point Pedro Pradeshiya Sabha in the Jaffna District.
" A week later on 18th September 2004, the LTTE shot and killed Thambithurai Sivakumaran alias Bavan in Puttalam. He was on his way home from the EPDP office on a bicycle with his 4 year old daughter. Thambithurai Sivakumaran was the EPDP joint organizer for the Jaffna District. He had the responsibility to take care of families that had been displaced from the Jaffna peninsula several years ago as a result of the LTTE’s terror.
" Thambithurai Sivakumaran also was a candidate of the EPDP at the last Parliamentary Election for the Jaffna District and at previous elections at which the Illankai Thamil Arasu Katchi had won utilizing the terrorist machinery of the LTTE, he filed a Fundamental Rights Application in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka challenging the victory of the Illankai Thamil Arasu Katchi.
" As we have stated before, the LTTE is concentrating on killing the top and second rung leaders of the EPDP. The LTTE is hoping to attain the status of ‘Sole Representative of the Tamils’ by this process of elimination.
" We call upon the Royal Norwegian Government to adopt more effective measures to control the LTTE. Appeasement of the LTTE will not help to preserve democracy, human rights and political pluralism among the Tamils of Sri Lanka."
(http://www.island.lk/2004/09/22/news31.html)
