International Association of Tamil Journalists formed in UK

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 April 2006, 12:41 GMT]
"Uniting all Tamil journalists of the world in a single organisation is the aim of the International Association of Tamil Journalists (IATJ)," said Ms. Ananthy Sooriyapragasam, the former senior programme organisor of the BBC Tamil Service, inaugurating the International Association of Tamil Journalists (IATJ) in London.

The organisation was launched on 9th April.

The IATJ in a press statement issued on Tuesday invited Tamil journalists and writers working for newspapers, magazines, television, Internet and other electronic media to join as members. The organisation will have its head office in London and aims to have representation at country level, the press statement said.

"Time has come for the Tamil journalists around the world to overcome the hazards and crisis they face in an organised way," added Ms. Ananthy, president elect for the current year of IATJ.

Mr. Ira Thurairatnam, former president of the Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance (SLTMA), a reputed journalist exiled from Batticaloa, was elected vice-president. Denmark based Jouranlist Mr. Kugan Thambipillai was elected Secretary and Mr. Ratnam Kandasamy from France was elected treasurer.

The executive committee of the organisation consists of 9 members. The other five members are Mr. M. Thevaraveendran from Germany, Mr. S.J. Patrimaharan, Mr. G. Gopiratnam, Mr. G. Selvarooban and Mr. A. Vendarkon from UK, the statement said.

"This Association while striving to safeguard its members' safety and rights will also engage in assisting them to progress and develop in their professional ventures," added the statement issued in Tamil.

Contact details would be announced later, the IATJ statement said.