Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations (AFTA), in its media release appeals to the international community to exert maximum diplomatic pressure on the Rajapakse regime in Colombo to reciprocate LTTE’s announcement to enforce an immediate ceasefire.
It further urges for an unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to save the dying civilians and for independent observers to ascertain the true ground and political situation to facilitate peace negotiations between the warring parties to restore normalcy and find a lasting political solution recognising the right to self determination of Tamils of Sri Lanka.
Read the full text of the media release;
AUSTRALASIAN FEDERATION OF TAMIL ASSOCIATIONS INC.
Established 1984
PO Box 382, Mawson, ACT 2607, Australia
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Media Release 27 April 2009Tamil Tigers Announce a Ceasefire Unilaterally – Sri Lanka Rejects Immediately
The Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations (AFTA), the peak body representing the Tamil Australians and New Zealanders, welcomes the calls made for the end to hostilities and peaceful negotiations in Sri Lanka by the US, G8 Nations and the European Union at the weekend and the announcement of ceasefire made in response by the Tamil Tigers unilaterally on 26 April 2009. AFTA registers it abhorrence at the immediate rejection of Tamil Tigers’ ceasefire call wanting to pursue its genocidal path.
In the first official statement on the situation from the White House made on 24 April said it was "deeply
concerned about the plight of innocent civilians caught up in the conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers and the mounting death toll". It called on both sides to adhere to international humanitarian law.The White House statement further said that, “we call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to stop shelling the ‘safe zone’ and blocking international aid groups and media from accessing those civilians who have managed to escape. International aid workers should have access to all sites where internally displaced persons are being registered and sheltered. The United States is working with international partners to attempt to care for those civilians who can be reached”.
However, even the White House statement went unheeded in the ears of the Sri Lankan government and the Sri
Lankan Air Force (SLAF) dropped bombs in many sorties on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th, intensifying its aerial bombardment in the no-fire zone causing heavy civilian casualties.The Foreign Ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, (G8
Nations) meeting in Rome, on Saturday 25 April expressed serious concern about the heavy civilian casualties
incurred and the worsening humanitarian situation. The European Union called on the Government of Sri Lanka on 25 April to make steps towards an inclusive and peaceful political process. This statement by EU further reads "the EU believes this is the only way in which lasting peace in Sri Lanka will be achieved."On 26th April, the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) announced that:
“In the face of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and in response to the calls made by the UN, EU, the
governments of the USA, India and others, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has announced an unilateral
ceasefire. All of LTTE’s offensive military operations will cease with immediate effect. The suffering inflicted on our people by the Sri Lankan armed forces in violation of all international humanitarian laws has now reached its peak. Over 165,000 people living within the coastal area under our control in Mullaitivu are being subject to continuous attacks by Sri Lankan Navy, Air Force and Infantry. Death and destruction continues unabated. This has been made worse by the deliberate withholding of food and medicine over many months. Death due to starvation is imminent.”AFTA appeals to the international community to exert maximum diplomatic pressure on the arrogant and
intransigent Rajapakse regime in Colombo to reciprocate LTTE’s announcement to enforce an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to save the dying civilians and for independent observers to ascertain the true ground and political situation to facilitate peace negotiations between the warring parties to restore normalcy and find a lasting political solution recognising the right to self determination of Tamils of Sri Lanka.Media inquiries:
Sydney: Dr. Victor Rajakulendran 0402 484 209
Melbourne: Mr. Mahen Mahendrarajah 0401 993 712
Canberra: Dr. Raga Ragavan 0402 387 920
Auckland: Dr. Siva Vasanthan 021 023 51 007
Wellington: Mr. Mani Maniparathy 027 448 0340
