2nd Lead (Adds photos)

Southern intellectuals, artists participate in book release

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 June 2004, 12:54 GMT]
"A letter from Vanni (Vanniye sita liyuma)" and "Voice from the heart of the Silent (Handak Nathiyunge Hathawatha Sakshiye Handa)," two books describing the political and social liberation feelings of the tamil community were launched ceremonially today in Vavuniya with T.Gnanavel, Vavuniya district political head of the LTTE presiding the function at Muthiah Hall, sources in the Northern town said.

LTTE Political district head of Vavuniya T.Gnanavel presided the meeting

Mr.K.Bernard, the president of College of Education, launched the books and presented the first copies to Mr.Jayatileka Bandara, a popular Sinhala Singer, sources attending the ceremony said.

Mr.Thirunavukarasu, a Tamil scholar and a specialist in politics, delivered the launching address. He said that the Sinhala people should support the political struggle of the Tamils and this struggle also helps to free the Sinhalese from the selfish politics of Sinhala ruling class.

Professor Suchcharitha Gamlath in his keynote address to the gathering said that he is supporting the suggestion made in the book by it's author K.V.Balakumaran, a senior member of the Liberation Tigers, that the history of Sri Lanka should be revised to correct misinformation present in Sinhala historical books.

Prof. Gamlath noted that the Sinhalese and the Tamils lived together in the island and there had been no division among them for centuries. He added that some Sinhala historians have described Portuguese and the English as Tamils to deliberately tarnish Sri Lankan Tamils.

He also said main Sinhala media is not aware of the historical background of Sapumal Kumara (Senbagaperumal). They are not aware that he was a Tamil prince and that he was sent Jaffna to conquer the kingdom. The Sinhala media had previously tried to describe Mr.Anuruddha Ratwate the former Minister of Defence as Sapumal Kumara without knowing the real identity of that character.

Popular Sinhala Singer Mr.Jayatileka Bandara sang the popular Ponguthamil song :"Namellam Mannin Mainthargal(We are all sons of this soil)" in Sinhala and Tamil languages.

Mr.K.V.Balakumaran in his speech said that Tamil people are only demanding a just and fair solution to the ethnic conflict and requesting the Sinhala politicians to "live and let live."

First copy of the books are being presented to Mr.Jayatileka Banadara, by Mr.K.Bernard the president of College of Education, Vavuniya. K.V.Balakumar is at the centre.

Popular Sinhala singer Jayatileka Bandara is being honoured by K.V.Balakumar

He noted that the JVP intends to take Sri Lanka back to the situation which existed in the country before 1505. "We are also asking the same. Therefore, I request Ms Chandrika to come forward to engage in honest negotiations. The LTTE is fully committed to reach a political solution through dialogue.

"We want to tell the Sinhala politicians, please do not test the patience of the Tamils. Do not try to throw stones at the bee-hive. Do not try to destablize the east and give sanctuary to Karuna. We are not your enemies. We will not occupy even an inch of the land belonging to the Sinhala people. Please let us live peacefully in our own motherland. We want the media persons gathered here to carry this message to the south."

Head of the Thamileela Ehluchchi Peravai, Mr. Sanjeev, hoisted the Tamil Eelam National flag. K.Kandasamy Iyer of Kudiyeruppu Pillayar Temple lit the ceremonial lamp.

T.Tharmendra the divisional political head of Vavuniya town delivered the vote of thanks.

A number of Sinhala journalists and personalities and public were present at the gathering.




Professor Suchcharitha Gamlath is delivering his guest speech

S.Thirunavukarasu is delivering the 'book launching address'

K.V.Balakumar the senior member of the LTTE is addressing the gathering

Popular Sinhala Singer Jayatileka Bandara is joined by others

Puthuvai Rathinathurai head of the Cultural Division of the LTTE is honouring Prof.Suchcharitha Gamlath by giving a golden shawl

Section of the public attending the ceremony