Vanni journalists condemn Nadesan’s murder

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 June 2004, 13:56 GMT]
The Vanni district journalists association Tuesday released a statement expressing its shock and grief at the murder of the Batticaloa-based senior journalist, Mr. Iyathurai Nadesan, Monday. The association strongly condemned the murder and said the journalist's slaying has created a sense of fear and insecurity among Tamil journalists.

The statement further said: “The violence in Batticaloa has regenerated the uncertainty and fear that prevailed during the war among Tamil journalists and intellectuals. There may be differences of opinion, but it is unwise and counterproductive to use violent methods to murder those who are opinion leaders in the society.

“The murder of Nadesan was committed at a time when the people are still in shock over the killing of Mr. Kumaravelu Thambaiah, a senior lecturer at the Eastern Univeristy. We urge the Government of Sri Lanka to make every effort to restore order in Batticaloa and ensure the security of the public and intellectuals.”

Meanwhile, LTTE sources insist that, despite Sri Lanka Army's denials, elements of the SLA are using Tamil paramilitary groups, including gunmen loyal to the renegade LTTE commander 'Karuna,' in a campaign against its cadres and supporters.