Media Release : Tuesday, 08 March 2005

Ethnic Cleansing by the LTTE in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

We unreservedly condemn the recent violence perpetrated on the Sinhalese people by mobs led by the TNA MP Mr. R. Sampanthan, a well known sympathiser of the LTTE terrorists. Tamil Tiger terrorist proxies goaded by Sampanthan rioted and prevent a group led by the JVP Member of Parliament for the Trincomalee District Mr. Jayantha Wijesekera, from constructing temporary houses for internally displaced Sinhalese victims of the Tsunami.

This is clearly an attempt by the LTTE using its’ proxy the TNA, to drive out the Sinhala people from Trincomalee. These poor displaced families, currently without shelter, have been living under plastic tents since 26 December 2004.  The mobs also hacked two Sinhalese youths with swords and threw a hand grenade at the office of the North East Sinhalese Organisation (NESO) wounding a number of civilians including a Buddhist priest.   In other words, this dastardly attempt by the LTTE to ethnically cleanse the East of the Sinhalese people should be roundly condemned by all peace loving people of the world.  This is a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of these Sinhala families living in Trincomalee since time immemorial.

We have been witnessing with utter dismay the recent trend, where the Government of Sri Lanka is quick to condemn any event that affects a member of the LTTE, while at the same time remains inactive when the Sinhala, non-LTTE Tamil and Muslim citizens in the north and east suffer at the hands of the LTTE.

We like to take this opportunity to remind the government of Sri Lanka that it is responsible for the security of all of its’ citizens irrespective of their ethnicity and their place of residence.

We request the government of Sri Lanka to:

-          Direct the Sri Lankan police to launch a criminal investigation into these acts of violence

-          Ensure all those who violated the law are brought to justice without fear or favour

-          Support the JVP member of parliament for the seat of Trincomalee to serve his constituents efficiently and effectively, by controlling mob rule in Trincomalee

We also urge the Sri Lankan Government to take immediate steps to provide shelter to the Sinhalese people affected by the tsunami in the North and East of Sri Lanka; especially in the Trincomalee area.

We need all Sri Lankans to enjoy the benefits and rights enshrined under its cherished constitution.  

SPUR holds the Government accountable, as a minimum, to deliver this fundamental right of the Sinhalese people living in and around Trincomalee.

Yours faithfully,

Dr D Jayasuriya 

President

Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka (SPUR)

Reg No. A 003 07777 M

PO Box 4066

Mulgrave    VIC 3170

Australia