LTTE accuses SLA Intelligence, para-militaries for Sivaram's murder

[TamilNet, Saturday, 30 April 2005, 00:16 GMT]
Accusing Sri Lanka military intelligence, and para-militaries collaborating with security forces as responsible for murdering Taraki D Sivaram, the Political Wing of the Liberation Tigers in a press release issued from Vanni Friday said, "Forces that cannot stand up to Sivaram's resoluteness, his firm conviction on issues, and depth and brilliance in broad range of skills, have abducted and murdered him to silence his voice."

English translation of the full text of the release issued in Tamil follows:

"The brilliant Tamil journalist Taraki D Sivaram has been abducted and murdered. Sri Lanka military intelligence and para-militaries collaborating with the security forces are responsible for this murder which has shocked and angered the Tamil people and journalists.

Mr Dharmeratnam Sivaram is a courageous writer who was able to fearlessly express his opinions and present news stories even in difficult circumstances. During the past two decades Mr Sivaram, while gaining international recognition for his efforts in communicating the difficulties faced by Tamil people to the outside world, convincingly articulated the rights of Tamil people through the media to the international community.

From the eighties Sivaram resolutely involved himself with Tamil freedom struggle and fought against oppression by Sinhala chauvinist forces. He whole heartedly devoted his thoughts and writings towards advancing the liberation of Tamil people.

Sivaram firmly believed that Sinhala chauvinism will always impede arriving at a just and fair solution to the Tamil National question. He argued for refining, and worked towards further strengthening, Tamil Nationalism.

Articulating that to be successful, Tamil Nationalism has to grow from strength to strength, Sivaram gave his unstinting support to the leadership of Tamil National leader V Pirapaharan.

He vehemently criticized the Tamil media when the analyses attempted to breed complacency towards a faulty peace process. He urged the press to be vigilant and to never fail to identify the ruling government's ploys when peace is used as a trap to contain the Nationalistic fervor of Tamil people.

Sivaram stressed the importance of incorporating modern technology in the field of media and journalism, and urged journalists to obtain training to keep their skills current. He functioned as a visionary and a companion to his fellow journalists as he strived to advance the field of Tamil journalism.

Sivaram's analyses were devoid of bias. Despite constant threats to his life Sivaram fearlessly exposed Sinhala chauvinism. He said repeatedly that the killers have to understand that Tamil struggle cannot be blunted by Killing Nimalarajan, Nadesan or Sivaram. Family or selfish motives never interfered with Sivaram's pursuit of excellence in his journalistic work.

Sivaram has threats from Sri Lanka military intelligence several times in the past. Security forces have forced entry and have searched his residence in the past. Murder was carried out inside the high security zone. Therefore, the Sri Lanka Government and its security forces bear responsibility for this murder.

Forces that cannot stand up to his resoluteness, his firm conviction on issues, and depth and brilliance in broad range of skills, have abducted and murdered him to silence his voice.

We express our condolences to his wife and chldren, and share their grief, as they mourn the loss of a husband and a father.

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