The Ill repute and apathy of the LTTE as only their closest critics and astute observes know it and something many Canadians are gradually becoming aware of was vividly displayed in Toronto, Canada on the 12^th of December 2004 at a gathering of a Canadian Human Rights watch in Scarborough Ontario. The behaviour of the pro-LTTE elements who had gathered in their numbers at this meeting, some of them who have never seen Ceylon and can hardly comprehend the state of affairs within the Island Nation, further tarnished their international image as circumspect and unacceptable to the Canadian way of life which at all times is tranquil and calm.

The meeting organized by Human Rights Watch, an internationally reputed human rights organizations was held in connection with Human Rights Watch’s latest release "Children and Sri Lanka’s Armed Conflict", at the Scarborough Civic Center in Toronto, Canada in Southern Ontario and apparently turned into an unruly shouting match between in the protestors and the organizers. The main panel of speakers were Ontario’s former Premier and Chairman of the Forum of Federation, Bob Rae and Jo Becker, Advocacy Director of the Human Rights Watch, Children’s Rights Division and the meeting was chaired by Prof. Noah Novogrodsky of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law a highly respected individual within the Metro Toronto Community. There were also many other human rights activist members of the Amnesty international, academics, and general public who participated in the meeting.

No sooner had the Chairperson made introductions, one supporter of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), sprang up vociferously demanding as a procedural issue why there were no representatives from the Tamil Community present. He was joined by more protesters and they started to disrupt the proceedings. On further investigation these were, according to reliable information, mainly university students many born in Canada and have never seen the colour of Sri Lanka and can neither read nor write the Tamil language yet confidently insistent almost to a point of justification that theirs was a just demand when in reality it seemed somewhat ludicrous.

Responding new almost with indignation the panel mentioned that they could not get an independent person that even those Tamils whom they approached feared intimidation and preferred not to join the panel as the reason for non Tamil participation. It is common knowledge that a t present there are many intimidations and criminal attacks within the Sri Lankan Community globally, stemming from LTTE inspiration by criminals who are also involved in underworld criminal activity, gang warfare, drug running, murder, extortion and a host of other deplorable incidents.

Although organizers had promised initially that after the speakers presented their views in their speech, there would be a question and answer period between the panel and the audience, it never transpired as unruly supporters of the Ceylon Tamil rebel outfit the LTTE continued to heckle the proceedings insisting that they had to speak first and their disorderly conduct was shameful and totally inappropriate in keeping with Canadian expectations towards order. The panel refused to give into their demand and hence a section of the youths present in the meeting continued to disrupt the proceedings with their outlandish behaviour for an indefinite period of time.

At this juncture A visibly agitated former Ontario Premier, Bob Rae took the podium and chided the hecklers that in his 25 years of public life he had never been prevented from speaking at a meeting and also observed that it was a shame that a public meeting could not be held in a democratic manner in Canada. He was very firm that he should make his presentation and he continued his address as scenario of disruptions continued with no regard or respect to order and decorum by the group involved. Bob Rae spoke in a very confident and impressive manner as he stressed the importance of negotiations by the authorities towards influencing LTTE in changing their attitude and accepting pluralism, which would unquestionably be the international community.

His speech was followed by that of Ms. Jo Becker, who had conducted research in Ceylon on ongoing issues and appeared unfazed by the ongoing disruption. Her stoic observations on how the war had affected the children in the North and East of Ceylon was a concerted effort of genuine concern for the affected young ones and admirable in its perspective. She cited many examples of how the LTTE had recruited and used child soldiers in the war while emphasizing in her own words as quoted that "As elders it is our duty to take care of the children and not send them to war. She said that the parents and the children in the North - East are still living in fear although there is cease-fire."

At the end of the panel presentation it was announced that a Tamil Language translation would follow as a summary of the speeches for those who may not have fully understood the English speeches at which stage the LTTE spokespersons rose up in anger expressing their confidence at comprehending fully the contents of the speeches whereas the stark reality was as was later revealed that there were many who had found it difficult to grasp the full implications of what was said in English.

As the mayhem continued to the embarrassment of some of the more self-respecting dignitaries at the gathering, concerns were expressed by many of them at the behavior of some of their community members. One member of the audience was even heard as saying that quote "it is sad that the Tamil community lives in fear and they cannot express their opinion freely in public even in Canada". While there was a strong force of Metro Toronto Police present on the premises to ensure the safety of the public there were sporadic breakdowns of anguish and tears by some of the younger members in the audience and the all important question was asked that" if the former Toronto Premier, Bob Rae himself cannot speak without any disruptions in his own country how can a Tamil representative speak at such a public meeting? If this is the behavior of the "educated" Tiger supporters in Canada, just imagine the behavior of the "uneducated" tigers in Sri Lanka" was the final conclusion which leaves much of the LTTE activities in Canada in retrospect to their international and Sri Lankan activities with great doubts in the minds of many Canadians.

Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgesen at a meeting held with the head of LTTE’s political wing S.P. Tamilselvan in Geneva has expressed its "growing concern over the continued truce violations by the LTTE and urged the rebel outfit to do everything possible to stop them.’ A statement from the Norwegian embassy in Colombo said that Deputy Minister Helgesen in a meeting with LTTE delegation had expressed his concern over the violations by the LTTE and the implications of cease-fire violations by the peace process as a whole and underlined that such violations also make the work of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) difficult."

The Norwegian reaction has come exactly a week after President Chandrika Kumaratunge in a statement said that her Freedom Alliance government would not ignore LTTE’s killing spree anymore and assured that she would take steps to deal with it. The LTTE delegation, comprising the head of LTTE police P. Nadesan, head of judiciary Pararajasingham, Secretary General of LTTE peace secretariat Pulidevan and LTTE’s Amparai - Batticaloa political wing head Kausalyan were in Geneva to consult the resumption of presently stalled peace meetings with its foreign constitutional and various other legal experts. The fifteen-member LTTE delegation is also scheduled to undertake a propaganda mission across various European countries.

The dissident LTTE commander, Colonel Karuna, has started a political party to liberate Ceylon Tamils from the "destructive" movement led by Prabhakaran, according to a statement posted on the party Website www.tmmvo.org. Named Tamil Eelam Peoples’ Liberation Tigers (TEPLT), the new party has its headquarters on Lake Road in Batticaloa town in Eastern Ceylon, which is Col Karuna’s political base. Karuna has also issued a statement to go with the declaration. The Sri Lankan Election Commission, however, said that it has not received any request to register the party. In a statement giving reasons for the establishment of the splinter group, its secretary Gnanarajah, said that the LTTE supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran, had created "implacable animosities among the Tamil people themselves, and had taken them down the road to destruction.

Prabhakaran had also not only eliminated the leadership of the Tamil people, but had destroyed the norms, culture, art, of the Tamil people. He said, "we started our struggle to get freedom from the Sinhala (Sri Lankan) government, but now our people have to struggle to get liberated from Prabhakaran. We needed international support, instead the LTTE has been branded as a terrorist group. The credit for this goes to Prabhakaran."

India and Sri Lanka moved closer towards a Bilateral Defence Cooperation Pact, mooted last year following "substantial progress" made at official level talks between the two neighbours and hoped to sign an agreement "by the end of the year. We had very fruitful discussion and exchange of view," the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, Cyril Herath, told "The Hindu" after he led Colombo’s talks with a high-level, five-members-team from New Delhi. Two sides, he said, had agreed on a "common draft" for defence cooperation. The final decision, he said, would be taken by "higher political authorities," in India and Sri Lanka. Expressing his optimism that the pact would be initialed "by the end of the year," Mr. Herath pointed out that while official level-steps were initiated this February, " the subsequent elections in the two countries," which resulted in change of Governments had to be taken into account. With the current official level endorsement, the process would now shift to the two capitals, with each nation having to complete its Cabinet and other legal procedures.

Among the main features of the proposed pact, Mr. Herath said, would be "exchange of information and sharing of experience" and enhanced training. Mr. Herath said as Colombo had multiple sources for defence procurement: it did not want to be tied down to a single source. One of the areas in which the two countries would work together, Mr. Herath said, was in "marine surveillance," to prevent ""illegal activities" from disrupting bilateral ties. One of Sri Lanka’s key concerns is poaching by Indian fishermen in the island’s territorial waters. The matter has become contentious in recent times with attacks on Indian fishermen, reportedly by "Sri Lankan fishermen," when they are in Ceylon waters.

Representatives of three human right organizations met the visiting LTTE group, headed by its political wing leader, SP. Thamilchelvan and had discussions in Geneva, Switzerland. The human rights representatives at the discussion urged the LTTE to stop their killing spree and the child conscription immediately and respect the international humanitarian and human rights in Ceylon and they have to prove to the world how they honour these rights. Representatives from International Commission of Jurist, Human rights Watch and Amnesty International participated. Mr. Nicholas Howen, the Secretary General of the International Commission for Jurist has called upon the LTTE to prove their commitment and sincerity on the lives and rights of all the people in Ceylon, and show their respects to the international humanitarian and human rights and prove to the public how they activate them.

The Geneva Director of Human Rights Watch, Loubna Freih, said that the LTTE must take measures to resume peace talks but it had escalated the political killings and conscription of children to the military units. The LTTE in their assassinations included, members of rival political parties, renegade LTTE faction and informants of the military. This is a hindrance for the resumption of peace negotiations, said Peter Splinter, the representative of the Amnesty International. The condemnation of the human rights movements on the killings, conscription and human rights violations of the LTTE has brought inconvenience to the visiting LTTE group in Geneva. They can no longer avoid the accusation leveled at them by saying that those killings are done by some unknown persons or a third party, observers said.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) the Sri Lankan political outfit made up of Budhist monks has warned it would call for a struggle by the people and the Army to reclaim the 2000-year-old Sinhala habitation in the North East if a separate Tamil state was declared. JHU frontliner Ven. Athuraliye Ratna Thero told parliament that his party had archaeological evidence to disprove the concept of a Tamil homeland in the North- East. The monk called for the appointment of a parliamentary select committee or a presidential commission to examine any historical evidence and to come to a right conclusion. The monk said the 2000–year- old Sinhala civilization in the North-East was being erased by certain groups and if the LTTE moved for a separate state, the JHU would launch a struggle with the support of the army and the Sinhala people to reclaim the 2000-year-old heritage. The monk warned that the LTTE might precipitate war and Sri Lanka must seek India’s support if that happened. He said the concept of a Tamil homeland was also disproved by the fact that more Tamils lived outside the North East that in it though Sinhala people could not live in the North.

The Tamil National Alliance appealed to the Sri Lankan government to resume peace talks with the LTTE on the ISGA proposals, following the assurance by LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran that any controversial issues or problems in the ISGA proposals could be discussed. "My good friends, why don’t you see that the LTTE is being reasonable? Come up with your own proposals. Let’s make the ISGA real," TNA leader R. Sambandan told parliament during the debate on the allocations for the President’s office. "The LTTE leader in his Heroes’ Day speech made clear his stand. Once ISGA is set up, a permanent solution could be discussed," he said. Mr. Sambandan blasted certain parties, chauvinistic forces and sections of the media, accusing them of trying sabotage the peace process. But he expressed the hope that President Kumaratunga could work towards providing and just a fair solution to the Tamil people.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse sought support from parliament to push through constitutional reforms whereby the executive presidential system would be abolished and an executive premier’s post created. Addressing parliament during the debate on the allocations for the President’s office and the Prime Minister’s office, Mr. Rajapakse said such reforms would also give more power to parliament. The Prime Minister also reiterated the commitment of the President and the Government to the peace process and a political solution to the ethnic conflict. Earlier Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandoupulle questioned why the opposition was scared to allow the President come to Parliament through a constitutional amendment.

Striking a controversial note, he stated that the next presidential election was due at the end of November 2006 and not before. Mr. Fernandoupulle defended the President’s recent criticism of the Police and the judiciary. He alleged that the National Police Commission was not working impartially. "The commissions should act impartially. Commission can’t be filled up with partisan persons. If the Constitutional council cannot recommend impartial persons for important positions, the President has the right to refuse to confirm such appointments," he said.

The Government 13.12.2004. condemned the Saturday’s (11^th December) grenade attack on a concert in Colombo where Indian film stars were performing, and expressed sorrow over the loss of life and injuries to some in the incident. In the statement issued on 13^th December. The External Affairs Ministry said the Indian High Commissioner, Niruopama Rao, who was present during the show and all other staff of the High Commission were safe and that no Indian national was reported to have been injured other than the wife of the ex-crickter Ravi Shastri. Ms.Shatri reportedly sustained minor injuries. All the film personalities who performed at the show were safe and had left Colombo this morning as per schedule, the statement said.

In the mean time the Sri Lankan Government sources termed the grenade explosion as an attempt by "some chauvinistic southern elements" to "disrupt there peaceful concert" and " tarnish the good relations" between India and Sri Lanka. "Investigations are on at the highest level, and indications so far are that the Indian artistes were not the targets," Government sources said.

The Deadly Attack on a musical show by Indian film stars in the Sri Lankan capital has come as a violent reminder of the deep divisions that plague the island and contribute to keeping its ethnic conflict alive and far from a settlement. Investigators have not yet identified those behind the senseless grenade attack at the show, which killed two members of the audience and left several others injured. The Hela Urumaya, a political party that subscribes to the chauvinist ideology of Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism, had earlier objected to the holding of the event as it coincided with the first death anniversary of a senior monk. Members of the party, all of whom are monks threatened to disrupt the entertainment programme.

The success of the Hela Urumaya in its debut parliamentary election in April 2004 when nine of its candidates were elected - was the direct result of an aggressive campaign by the Buddhist clergy both against political concessions to the Tamils in Ceylon and against Christianity, the religion of about seven per cent of the population. While the system has succeeded in a large measure in confining Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism to the margins of political debate, these developments are disturbing indications that it retains at least some of its influence. In their own interests are as much as in the interests of the country, the two major political groupings, the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party-Janatha Vimuukthi Peramuna alliance and the opposition United National Party, must do everything to combat Sinhala-Buddhist communalism and ensure it does not aggravate the existing divisions, particularly at this point of impasse in the peace process with the LTTE.

In a sign of difficulties ahead for Sri Lanka’s peace process, international donors today expressed "deep concern" over the actions by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), "against the peace process" and urged the President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, to "address the problem." Representatives of Japan, E.U. and the U.S., who met the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, on Tuesday, "expressed bewilderment" that a member of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) "could engage in such a campaign in absolute contradiction to the clearly stated position of the President and the Government that they endorse and support the Norwegian role,’’ a statement said. The concern expressed by the donors comes in the backdrop of recent pronouncements by the JVP against Norwegian facilitation.

The Government, however, said the JVP’s letter did not reflect the Government’s position. It may be recalled that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has referred to the JVP’s position as an obstacle to resumption of the peace process. The donors "expressed deep concern about the ongoing JVP led actions against the peace process in Sri Lanka and the Government of Norway’s efforts as facilitators of that process."

Prof Chandra Sekharan, the Indian forensic expert who shot into fame for scientifically identifying the body of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassin Dhanu in 1991, has refused to come to Ceylon to testify in a high profile forgery Case, saying that he has been receiving death threats over the phone. According to The Island daily, the Bangalore-based expert had written to his client, Fredric W Obeysekera of Rajagiriya that he would not be able to come to Ceylon to identify the documents because an anonymous caller from New Delhi had said that he would be killed if he went to Ceylon. He had received three calls from this person on December 12, who identified himself only as a businessman from Delhi who was acting on instruction from his friend in Colombo. The calls were from the cell number 919810448445, Prof Chandra Sekharan said. Among the three accused in this high profile Cotta property-grabbing case in the former Sri Lankan military spokesman Col Sumedha Perera.

According the The Island, which reproduced Prof Chandra Sekharan’s letter to his client Obeysekera, the expert asked his client to tell the court about his inability to come to Colombo in view of the threat, and request the court to send the documents to Bangalore, so that he could examine them in his laboratory at the "Forennsics, "International".

The refrain, Sare Jahaan se acha, Hindustan hamara, played to perfection by the Sri Lankan naval band on board the Sri Lankan ship, SLNS Sayura, marked the beginning of Operation Eksath-the first joint naval exercise between the two countries-about 10 nautical miles off Colombo. The non-combat, three-hour humanitarian exercise saw seven ships – two Indian and five Sri Lankan–sail out to the open sea and perform the joint exercises in three areas: search and rescue, anti-piracy and pollution control. The exercise, official sources said, aimed at maintaining preparedness to ensure the "safety and security of international shipping and lives at sea." The Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard, A.K. Singh, the Indian High Commissioner, Nirupama Rao, the Sri Lankan service commanders and the Secretaries for Defence and Public Security were among those who observed the exercise. As the SLNS Sayura gives way to the Indian CGS Sarang to lead the formation and the exercises, the mood on board the Sayura is one of expectation. The excitement soars as an Indian Coast Guard Chetak helicopter flies past the ships, after hovering low near the vessels, the Chetak recedes to the back to the open sea.

In addition to CGS Sarang, CGS Durgabhai Deshmukh, the Chetak helicopter and a Dornier aircraft comprised the Indian component. Four other Sri Lankan vessels joined the SLNS Sayura on the choppy waters. As Sri Lankan naval cadets and officers go through their ceremonial salutes and on—deck formations, a Fast Attack Craft of the island’s Navy and an Indian Coast Guard ship carry out an anti-piracy exercise in a distance. The exercise, a Sri Lankan officer told journalists on board the Sayura, is aimed at equipping the Navy to intercept, board and regain control of a hijacked vessel. "Next we will carry out a search and rescue operation," announces Rohan Amarasinghe, the commanding officer of the Sayura.

The Chetak helicopter is back, and as it flies between the ships, a trained Indian naval diver "falls" into the sea. A distress signal blinks to indicate the presence of he "drowning man." Within minutes, the friendly drone of a Dornier is heard and seconds later the fixed-wing aircraft files over the "man in distress," and drops a life raft. The Chetak hoists the "victim" to the safety of the coast guard vessel. In the distance is Colombo’s main thoroughfare-the Galle Road-and the Galle face Green, which was witness to several historic moments in the island-nation’s history. As the CGS Sarang sails past the Sayura, Capt. Amarasinghe, his officers and men, raise their hands to a crisp naval salute, marking another moment in ties between the two countries.

More than 50 000 persons were feared killed and many thousand people displaced as the Indian Ocean’s tsunami wreaked death and devastation across nine coastal districts in Ceylon. A sea Tiger base of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is also said to be affected as it lay in the range of the tsunami attack. The situation inside rebel – held Ceylon is not known, but defence sources said civilians in those areas were "seriously affected. "The tsunami saw no distinction between Government and insurgents and caused extensive damage in parts of the northern and eastern Ceylon, where Colombo and the LTTE are observing the longest cease-fire in decades of separatist conflict. With large parts of the affected areas inaccessible, a large number of people still missing and scores of others not reporting the deaths, the final tally could far exceed the figures now estimated.

The coastal belt affected by the tsunami spread from the northern Jaffna district to the western Colombo district, with almost the entire coastal population caught unawares as the tsunami wave struck. Mild tremors were felt in several parts of the island – nation, including the central hill districts around 6.30.a.m. The President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, declared a state of national disaster, and the Cabinet, at an emergency meeting, headed by the Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, sought Indian and international assistance as the embattled island-nation braved to meet its worst calamity.

"Sri Lanka is the country with the highest number of deaths," senior Government official said. "It is a national tragedy, the devastation is total damage at the moment," the Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse told The Hindu after visiting the affected districts in the south. According to the President’s office, Ms. Kumaratunga, who is in London on a private visit, will return to the island Responding to request from the President’s office, the Indian Government immediately rushed emergency relief. An aircraft carrying medical relief is scheduled to land in Colombo, while medical and emergency relief shops are set to arrive. "We are thankful to the Indian Government for there immediate assistance," Mr. Rajapakse said. Commiserating with the affected families outside Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister said: "I extend my sympathies to the affected families in India and other countries."

The tsunami, according to reports from northern and eastern Ceylon, lashed a Key Sea Tiger base in the northern rebel-held Mullaittivu district. The LTTE’s underground bunkers and other military installations were also reportedly hit. There is no confirmed information on the damage caused. "It will have a serious effect on the LTTE. They do not appear to have been prepared for such a calamity," a defense analyst said. The LTTE could not be contacted as telecommunications links broke down in several parts of the country. Reports from the east said people and cattle were washed away. "I can see bodies hanging on the trees," a distressed resident told a radio station, which ran half- hourly first person accounts of the national disaster. The Sri Lankan armed forces have already been pressed into service. "We are carrying out round-the clock operations. We are thankful to India for extending help," the Defence Spokesman, Daya Ratnayake, told The Hindu tonight. "More than 30,000 food packets are being prepared and will be moved to the affected areas, he said.

Soon after the tsunami strike took away the lives of thousands and rendered many more thousands homeless, Miss Sooriyakumary left for Colombo on the 26^th December evening flight to coordinate the emergency services by OfERR (CEYLON)

An Indian Dornier aircraft touched down at the Ratmalana domestic airport tonight, carrying emergency relief and a medical team. Four more ships are to arrive tomorrow, with more emergency assistance. "It is in the best traditions of good neighbourly relations and a true expression of being a friend in need. Were sponded immediately," Mohan Kumar, the acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, told The Hindu. Last May, an Indian ship, INS Sujata, came to the help of the island-nation when floods hit central and southern Sri Lanka. This time, the emergency response from India has been "more rapid."

According to sources, the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Sinngh, ordered "immediate" relief for Sri Lanka when the official request was made. Earlier in the day, the President’s office made the formal request t6o the Indian High Commission here. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, told The Hindu that he had spoken over telephone to the Indian High Commissioner, Nirupama Rao, requesting assistance. Two ships are scheduled to reach the eastern Trincomalee port and the southern Galle port tomorrow. They will be carrying four helicopters, inflatable rafts and other equipment for carrying out relief operations.

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