Jaffna journalists pay tribute to Sivaram on first death anniversary

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 April 2006, 01:18 GMT]
"Sri Lanka Government (GoSL) has failed in its attempt to stifle the voice of the entire Tamils by killing Sivaram. Many young Tamil journalists are in the forefront, continuing his mission, informing the international community of the perils faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka. This is the greatest tribute we journalists can pay Sivaram," said Mr. S. Kathirgamathamby, president North Ceylon Journalists Association (NCJA) in his address at the first annual memorial day Dharmeratnam Sivaram (Taraki), a senior editor of TamilNet, held at the Media Research and Training Center in Jaffna University Friday evening at 4 p.m.

More than a hundred people including journalists, news editors, University staff and students participated with members of the public in the day of remembrance organised by the journalists in the north, sources said.

The Secretary of NCJA, Mr. R. Thayaparan started the event by garlanding the photo of Sivaram followed by the lighting of the Common flame by the editors of the four Jaffna news papers, representatives of independent news agencies and Jaffna University lecturers.

"A gifted writer with enviable proficiency in both Tamil in English, Sivaram wrote with penetrating insight in military and political matters on Sri Lanka's conflict. He elevated journalism to greater heights by advocating use of new technology and encouraging NorthEast journalists to embrace advance techniques in the practice of new reporting. His was an irreplacable loss to the Tamil community" said Kathirgamathamby.

Senior journalists Mr. N. Parameswaran, Mr. K. Navaratnarajah and the secretary of the NCJA, R.Thayaparan also spoke.

Chronology: