TNA MPs, LTTE leaders pay respect to Vigneswaran in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 April 2006, 00:56 GMT]
"Tamil human rights activist Mr. V. Vigneswaran's assassination and those of 17 other Tamils in the period from November 2005 to January 2006 clearly shows that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) will never protect the human rights of the Tamils. Therefore we ourselves have to strive to protect our rights," said Rev. Fr. Kanagaratnam, Director North East Human Rights Secretariet (NEOSHR), paying homage to slain Mr. Vigneswaran whose body was kept for viewing at the Cultural Hall in Kilinochchi Monday, said sources.

The cortege of the assassinated President of the Trincomalee District Tamil Peoples Forum (TDTPF) Mr.V.Vigneswaran, kept in Vavuniya for people to pay their last respects was brought Monday to Vanni, past the Omantai Sri Lanka Army (SLA) check point and through Pulliyankulam, Kanagarayankulam, and Mankulam along the A9 road, where people gathered in large numbers to pay respect for the Tamil activist, said Kilinochchi sources.

The remains of Late Mr. Vigneswaran was taken in procession, accompanied by percussion band, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Army guards and thousands of people from Vanni, to the Cultural Hall in Kilinochchi.

Northern Commander Col. Theepan and Commander Col. Jeyam lit the Common Flame at 10.45 a.m. to start the event presided by Pirabakaran, head of Kilinochchi district People's Upsurging Organisation.

Mrs. Vigneswaran lit the Flame of Sacrifice and garlanded her husband's photo.

"Mr Vigneswaran, a human rights activist, who upheld the basic rights as laid down by the International Human Rights Commission, was shot in broad day light close to the Sri Lanka Police and army stations. How will the International Commuity respond to this assassination?" asked Rev. Fr. Kanagaratnam.

He further said, "The witnesses to this assassination are the SL police, army and the responsible officers. The law enforcement authorities have done nothing to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime despite the orders given by the Trincomalee magistrate.

"Colombo deceives the world by have a Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission without a Head. More than 103 in Jaffna peninsula alone are either dead or disappeared in the last four months. The Sri Lanka Government is yet to account for these right violations.

"We took this matter up with the International Human Rights Commission and the Advisor to the UN and are yet to receive any positive response.

"We have to continue to fight against these violations of human rights in the hope that the International community will not be able to continue condoning the violations and have to intervene soon."

S.P. Tamilchelvan, Head of LTTE Political Wing, S. Thangan, deputy Head of LTTE political wing, Col. Theepan, Commander Col. Jeyam, Senior member of the LTTE, K.V. Balakumaran, Head of Tamil Eelam Educational Association, Ilankumaran, Tamil National parliamentarians Ms. Pathmini Sithamparanathan, Sivanesan, Kanagaratnam, Thurairetnasingam, and Mavai Senathirajah garlanded late Mr. Vigneswaran's photo paying their respects.

Rev. Fr. Kanagaratnam, Peace Secretariat's Ilanthirayan, Sivanesan TNA MP, K. V. Balakumaran, Puthuvai Rathinathurai, Head of LTTE Arts and Cultural Association, S. Ganeshalingam Islets National Upsurgence Consortium, Gowrimuhunthan, President Regional Council Trincomalee and Secretary Trincomalee district Tamil Peoples Upsurgence Consortium spoke.

The cortege was taken to Mullaitivu at the conclusion of the event in Kilinochchi, sources said.