10 August 2006

Dear Sir,

We write to you with great urgency and very heavy hearts, regarding the current crisis in the East of the island of Sri Lanka.

The news that we are receiving about the situation in Muttur, from Trincomalee, leaves no doubt at all that the Sri Lankan government has declared war and that a full scale military operation is now taking place in Muttur.

We are very concerned that under the guidance of President Rajapaksa, well-planned ethnic cleansing of Tamils is in progress in the East, especially in Trincomalee.

In our press release (Ref: EH074/PR/2006) of 10 May 2006, we said, “Why did Rajapaksa order Air, Sea, and Land attacks especially in the Trincomalee district? What is the strategic importance of Trincomalee? Has the illegally erected Buddha statue in Trincomalee in May last year, any connection with these attacks? We have come to the conclusion that these attacks are part of the ethnic cleansing which has long been a problem.

Within the last twenty-four hours, hundreds of civilians have been massacred in every nook and corner of Muttur and once again the Sri Lanka government is using food as a weapon of war. It appears that the government feels assured that it will not be scrutinised. The impunity, which the military enjoys, has led to ever-increasing flagrant violations and atrocities, which the international community has not vociferously condemned. We are sure you will be aware of the massacre of 17 humanitarian workers of the ECOSOC NGO Action Contre la Faim by the Sri Lanka security forces in Muttur on 05 August 2006.

International NGOs working in the Trincomalee district confirmed that they were prevented by the Military from going to Muttur to carry out their mission in service to the displaced people. In Muttur, thousands of families are starving without food and shelter. Their basic needs are not being met and especially the children and babies are dying of hunger whilst artillery shells rain and aerial bombing is taking place.

A journalist, who was prevented from visiting Muttur by the Military, told us that it is a humanitarian disaster. There is no help for the People! The people are blaming the international community for bringing about such a harsh situation by taking one side in the conflict.

We are compelled to pose the question “Is the international community supporting President Rajapaksa’s ethnic cleansing of Tamils from Trincomalee district?” If not, then what is the reaction of the international community to the present massacres, economic and news blockade which are all obvious violations of international law.

The government has a duty to ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions. For it’s part, the international community must demand that international, unbiased fact-finding take place and that the government permit humanitarian relief to reach the internally displaced people. Only last month, the High Commissioner for Refugees stated, after his visit to the island that immediate relief must be given to IDPs, and that they must have the support of the international community (Sunday Leader 30-07-06).

We the Tamil Centre for Human Rights, along with 28 solidarity organisations (see attached list), urgently appeal to you on behalf of the people of Muttur to stop this deliberate war. As stated earlier, it is a war of ethnic cleansing of Tamils from Trincomalee district. Recent speeches by the politicians in the South of Sri Lanka transparently and unambiguously indicate this intention.

We kindly request you to intervene very urgently and prevent the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Thank you

Yours truly

S. V. Kirubaharan

General Secretary

Source: Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR
Date: 10 August 2006