"We, the Eelam Tamil youth gather here today, to remember the ultimate sacrifice. We remember those that perished in a struggle against the oppression, destruction and genocide of our people.

Today, we remember selflessness. We remember the selflessness of the brave young men and women, who gave up their personal hopes and aspirations and devoted their own lives to a struggle against the oppression of our people.

These were people like you and I, they also had dreams and ambitions. These were future doctors, lawyers, entertainers, teachers, artists and future parents. But recognising the dire circumstances our people were living through, our brothers and sisters, rose courageously to be the van guards of our nation’s inalienable right to exist, so that one day each one of us could live out our own dreams in our own homeland, free and dignified.

Today, we remember love. We remember the love that these martyrs showed for our people. A love that empowered them with the strength to defy, until their very last breath, the barbaric Sinhala state oppression, of our people.

Today, we remember principles. We remember the principle of a nation’s fundamental right to self-determination that our people fought to uphold.
 
Today we also recognise that remembrance alone is not enough.

Standing here today, we the Tamil youth recognise that the fundamental rights of our nation, continues to be trampled upon.

We recognise that the Sinhala state continues its unyielding systemic destruction of our nation’s Eelam identity, and homeland.

We recognise the on-going, unchallenged, militarisation, colonisation and oppression of Eelam Tamils in our homeland.

We recognise that despite several regime changes, the Sinhala state has and will continue to undermine our Eelam Tamil nation.

Standing here today, we realise. We realise that, we the Tamil youth in the diaspora, enjoy the fundamental human rights that our Eelam people have sacrificed their lives for.

We realise that, bestowed upon us are the very freedoms that thousands of Eelam Tamils have given their lives for.

We realise, that until our people in Tamil Eelam are able to enjoy the same freedoms as us, we cannot rest.

We realise that, together, we the Tamil diaspora’s youth, unconstrained by the sri lankan state oppression, harnessing the power of the talents we possess, can break the shackles on our homeland.

We, the Eelam Tamil diaspora’s youth, armed with the selflessness, love, resolve and principles of those that stood defiantly against genocide, can continue to uphold our Eelam identity, and work to ensure that our people in Eelam, can break free of the tightening Sinhala state grip.

Standing with our recognition of the present, and fuelled by our past, we can drive for a better future, to make sure that our brothers and sisters did not give their lives away in vain."

"This will be the first time that SATS is taking place in Sri Lanka,"

"The aim is to enhance knowledge of IHL among civil and military officials working in the fields of international law, international relations and defence studies. At the same time, it is an opportunity for people from South Asian and neighbouring countries to discuss contemporary challenges to humanitarian law."

Honouring Murugathasan Varnakulasingham - the Tamil youth who, outraged at international apathy and inaction in the face of the genocide of Tamils, self-immolated in protest outside the United Nations in Geneva on 12th February 2009 - young British Tamils at the Tamil Youth Organisation UK (TYO-UK) erected a memorial stone in his memory.

Designed by youth at the TYO-UK, and created with the support of TCC UK, the tombstone is engraved with Murugathasan's parting words, written in a letter in Tamil: "the flames over my body will be a torch to guide you through the liberation path."

Speaking to Tamil Guardian, a member from TYO UK said,

"Murugathasan anna's outrage and agony at seeing the events of 2009 moved Tamil youth around the world. His death is, and always will be a great loss to our nation. Yet, we remain humbled by his conviction, and his passion."

"His determination to speak out against injustice.. against the genocide of our nation, is an inspiration to all of us. Especially to us the youth, and that's why we wanted to honour his memory."

See also:

Murugathasan remembered three years on (21 Feb 2012)

Remembering Murugathas Anna (24 Feb 2011)

Anniversary of Murugathasan’s death marked in Geneva (24 Feb 2010)

British Tamils pay tribute to ‘hero’ Varnakulasingham (18 March 2009)

The Australian government has deported 100 failed asylum seekers to Sri Lanka, on a specially chartered Royal Australian Air Force flight.

The recent removal is the single largest group to have been sent to Sri Lanka, and the ninth this month according to the Sri Lankan government. It also brings the total number of people deported from Australia to Sri Lanka to 425 since August 13th, when Australia adopted new immigration policies.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen told reporters that those being deported were “economic refugees”, saying,

“Our humanitarian programme is for people who are at risk of persecution, not for people seeking to undertake economic migration,”
 
“We will continue these returns for as long as it takes.”
 
“We will continue to return people to Sri Lanka, we will continue to transfer people to Nauru, and now to Manus Island as well”.

However, reports from both Human Rights Watch and Tamils Against Genocide (see here and here), have documented repeated cases of torture and abuse of deportees, and demonstrated that returnees are at risk of persecution, calling for a halt in their deportation.

His comments came as Australia transferred the first group of asylum seekers to a newly opened camp in Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. A group of 19 people, both from Sri Lanka and Iran were sent, made up of 7 families including four children.

See a video report from the BBC here.
 

The Sri Lankan Navy has once again been accused of attacking fishermen from Tamil Nadu as they went fishing in the Palk Straits.

The four fishermen alleged that the navy attacked them with sticks, stones and bottles, as well as damaging their boats and fishing nets. In addition, the navy is accused of seizing their GPS and wireless equipment.

The Sunday Times however reported that a senior naval official completely denied the allegations, quoting him as saying,

"There is absolutely no truth in these allegations which are apparently politically motivated by certain individuals across the Palk Straits”.

According to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce's data, Sri Lanka’s export during the first quarter of FY 13 earnings from textile and garments has declined 4.3 percent.

(See here and here).

In 2000, garment exports accounted for 49 percent of the country’s total export, by 2011 that margin dropped to 38 percent. Industry analysts believe the decline is a reflection of the loss of EU’s GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) plus based on Sri Lanka’s poor human rights track record.

European Union accounts for nearly 50 percent of apparel exports with the US being the second largest. It has been estimated that Sri Lanka has lost 1 billion in US dollars since the EU suspension of GSP+.

Rohan Abeykoon, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association, seemed to think some progress had been made and urged the government to reapply for EU’s GSP+:

“We understood the government’s difficulty in complying with original conditions laid down by the EU. Now, with the progress made we can re-open the discussion.”

The global head of Unilever Paul Polman has visited Sri Lanka and approved the opening of a new factory in Kalatura in the Western district.

The $50 million plant was to be inaugurated by Mr Polman this week.

Unilever produces 95% of its products sold on the island and the new plant is likely to increase local manufacturing and support export of goods made in Sri Lanka.

While calls for a boycott of Sri Lanka are increasing, Unilever, who was named as one of the world's most ethical companies, is endorsing the government's genocidal activities against the Tamil people, by continuing investment in Sri Lanka.

Boycott, divestments and sanctions call against Sri Lanka (07 September 2012)

Reggae band ‘Big Mountain’ boycotts Sri Lanka over 'systematic violence' (14 June 2012)

A ‘Victory Stupa’ currently being constructed in Anuradhapura was blessed with “treasure” and a large Sinhala-inscribed tablet, at a ceremony coinciding with President Rajapaksa’s birthday to “shower blessings on him”, according to the country’s Ministry of Defence.

The stupa is the first in a set that is to be built across all provinces in the island.

See our earlier post: Buddhist Stupas for Army to be built in all provinces (06 February 2012)

According to the Ministry of Defence, the stupa is

“a brainchild of HE the President is underway under the directions of Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr.Gotabaya Rajapaksa”.

They also reported that,

“The ceremony was held in parallel to the birthday and second anniversary of assuming office of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and also to shower blessings on him.”

The stupas are being constructed to give “due recognition to the memory of the War Heroes who defended the country from threat of separation”.

This particular stupa has been under construction since February 2012 when the foundation stones were laid, with the MoD boasting that the finished product will be over 275 feet tall, and will require 30 million bricks and 40,000 bags of cement.

Meanwhile, see how Tamil IDPs have been ‘resettled’ here.

Tamil Nadu opposition leader M Karunanidhi said he was “hopeful” that the UN will intervene in Sri Lanka and take up Tamil grievances, reported The Hindu.

Claiming credit for India’s vote for the UN resolution in March, Karunanidhi said that his DMK would continue to press Delhi to support his demand for a referendum.

“I believe these efforts will definitely bear fruit. We have submitted TESO resolutions on the way forward to both the UN Human Rights Council and the UN headquarters. We are sure they will consider the issue at an appropriate time and take suitable action,” he said to reporters.

At a Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation meeting, the group led by Karunanidhi, thanked the UN for receiving their previous resolutions.

The TESO meeting, held at the DMK’s headquarters, also hailed the British Tamil Forum for passing a resolution in London with several other Tamil organisations and parties, calling for an independent investigation and the recognition of Genocide.

Photograph The Island

The Commander of the Sri Lankan security force deployed in Jaffna, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe bestowed a newly built house to a family in Sunnaakam on Tuesday.

The Island reports that the army has constructed 1780 houses in the Jaffna peninsula.

See also: The army taketh and the army giveth (16 Aug 2012)

In its latest report, entitled, 'Sri Lanka: Tamil politics and the Quest for a Political Solution', the International Crisis Group (ICG) criticised the Sri Lankan government's refusal to negotiate seriously towards a power sharing agreement, arguing that such a refusal was "increasing ethnic tensions and damaging prospects for lasting peace."

Highlighting the "sustained assault" against "Tamil political power and identity" in the North-East, the ICG said the government's military and economic policies were "institutionalising" a Sinhala nationalist thinking that "explicitly rejects a privileged Tamil character".

Arguing that the "de facto military occupation" and "biased economic development policies appear designed to undermine Tamils’ ability to claim the north and east as their homeland," the ICG said that "for many Tamils, this confirms their long-held belief that it was only the LTTE’s guns that placed their concerns and need for power sharing on the political agenda."

In a list of recommendations to various parties, the ICG called on the international community, including China, India and the US to ensure a range of actions that it argued "pave the way for a lasting political solution" are met. These included fulfilment of the March 2012 UNHRC resolution and a credible northern provincial council election by early 2013. The ICG went on to urge the Secretariat and member states of the Commonwealth to insist that the Sri Lankan government fulfils these tasks, "and agree that in the event it fails to do so, the October 2013 Commonwealth heads of government meeting will be moved from Colombo to an alternative location."

See here for full report.

Excerpts from the executive summary reproduced below:

"The Sri Lankan government’s refusal to negotiate seriously with Tamil leaders or otherwise address legitimate Tamil and Muslim grievances is increasing ethnic tensions and damaging prospects for lasting peace. The administration, led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party of Mahinda Rajapaksa, has refused to honour agreements with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), broken promises to world leaders and not implemented constitutional provisions for minimal devolution of power to Tamil-speaking areas of the north and east. Militarisation and discriminatory economic development in Tamil and Muslim areas are breeding anger and increasing pressure on moderate Tamil leaders."

"Many believed that the end of the war and elimination of the separatist Tamil Tigers (LTTE) would open space for greater political debate and moderation among Tamils, while encouraging the government to abandon the hardline Sinhalese nationalism it had cultivated to support its war efforts and agree to devolve meaningful power to the majority Tamil-speaking northern and eastern provinces. While there has been an increase in democratic and moderate voices among Tamils, the government has failed to respond in kind."

"Even as the government refuses to respond to longstanding demands for power sharing, Tamil political power and identity are under sustained assault in the north and east."

"The de facto military occupation of the northern province and biased economic development policies appear designed to undermine Tamils’ ability to claim the north and east as their homeland. For many Tamils, this confirms their long-held belief that it was only the LTTE’s guns that placed their concerns and need for power sharing on the political agenda."

"The situation is likely to remain difficult, with major negotiating breakthroughs unlikely in the near term. Nonetheless, the international community – especially India and the U.S. – should increase pressure on President Raja­paksa to significantly reduce the numbers and influence of the military in the north and hold credible northern provincial council elections in advance of the March 2013 meeting of the UN Human Rights Council. The president should also be pressed to agree to the TNA’s reasonable terms for joining the PSC and begin implementing the thirteenth amendment meaningfully. Effective and lasting power sharing will almost certainly require forms of devolution that go beyond the current unitary definition of the state."

Photograph Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka's first satellite is ready for launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China, on 22nd November 2012.