Tigers condemn the killing of Pararajasingham

[TamilNet, Sunday, 25 December 2005, 08:37 GMT]
Condemning the "appalling and vicious murder" of the Tamil National Alliance MP Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham, the Political Wing of the Liberation Tigers, on Sunday, charged the Sri Lankan military intelligence and the paramilitaries working with them for the killing of Mr. Pararajasingham, a Tamil nationalist and human rights activist. The Tigers also said the killing at the Christmas mass symbolised the "long hand of the chauvinistic forces such as the Jathika Hela Urumaya," was working through the Sri Lankan military intelligence wing.

Fulltext of the media release issued by the Political Wing of the Liberation Tigers follows:


Mr Joseph Pararajasingam, Tamil nationalist and human rights activist, was brutally shot dead by the Sri Lankan intelligence unit while attending Christmas mass


Mr Joseph Pararajasingam, a Tamil nationalist and TNA member of parliament, who worked tirelessly to promote and protect human rights, was shot dead on Christmas Eve while he was attending Christmas mass at St. Mary’s church situated inside a high security zone of Batticaloa town. He was murdered by the Sri Lankan military intelligence wing and the paramilitaries working with them, including the Karuna Group and EPDP. Mr Pararajasingam’s wife, Mrs Sugunam, and six others were injured in the shooting.

Mr Pararajasingam prayed for peace and freedom for his people and had just received communion from the bishop when the Sri Lankan intelligence unit and the paramilitaries shot him and escaped.

Mr Pararajasingam raised his voice for the human rights of the Tamil people at the international stage and at diplomatic forums. He maintained solid relationships with human rights organizations and worked hard for the formation and growth of the Northeast Secretariat on Human Rights (NESOHR). It is this towering humanitarian who was shot dead by the Sri Lankan military intelligence wing.

This well-planned murder proves that the long hand of the chauvinistic forces such as the Jathika Hela Urumaya is working through the Sri Lankan military intelligence wing. The chauvinistic forces have taken away this patriot who has worked for the Tamil nation’s liberation and promotion of human rights.

We strongly condemn this appalling, vicious murder. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and relatives.

Political Wing
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
25 December 2005