TULF condemns Soundaranayagam killing

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 November 2000, 15:32 GMT]
The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) has condemned the killing of Batticaloa District Parliamentarian Nimalan Soundaranayagam as a "senseless murder" and appealed for an end to all violence, which they say only makes the search for a peaceful political solution to the Tamil question even more complex and difficult.

"The TULF makes a strong appeal for a thorough investigation, and also makes a fervent appeal to everyone who can provide valuable information to come up with such information," said a statement issued Wednesday by the Secretary General of the Tamil United Liberation Front Mr.R.Sampanthan.

He has further stated that as an unarmed Tamil Party, the TULF has consistently been the victim of violence unleashed against it.

Excerpts from the statement are given below:

"The brutal slaying of Mr.Nimalan Soundaranayagam the newly elected Member of Parliament for the Batticaloa district has come as a rude shock to the TULF.

"If there is to be a peaceful resolution to the Tamil question, it is imperative that such senseless violence should come to an end. The killing of Mr.Soundaranayagam, less than a month after his election by the people as their representative in Parliament, makes a mockery of democracy. All people who value democracy should assist in the ascertainment of the truth. The long term interest of the people can be protected only by the truth being established.

"Mr.Soundararajan has been shot at Kiran on the main Batticaloa-Valaichchenai road -used freely both by civilians and service personnel. Some information should be available in regard to armed persons who waited for the arrival of Mr.Soundaranayagam at this spot."