INDICTMENT AGAINST SRI LANKA
Censorship, Disinformation & Murder of Journalists Contribution to Truth by Sri Lanka's State Controlled Press
[see also Sri Lanka's Pattern of intimidation and murder to silence independent Tamil journalists] State Controlled Sri Lanka Daily News - 1 June 2004 | Tamilnet - 31 May 2004 | Journalist shot dead by suspected LTTE gunmen
by Ranil Wijayapala
A senior journalist was shot dead by suspected LTTE gunmen in Batticaloa yesterday morning as he was riding his motorcycle, Police told the Daily News.
The victim, G. Nadeshan, was the Vice President of the Eastern Journalists' Association and correspondent for the Virakesari Tamil daily, Shakthi TV and IBC News Service. The journalist's killing comes amidst moves by the LTTE and the Security Forces in Batticaloa to discuss ways and means of ending the killing spree in the area. Representatives from both sides will meet tomorrow in Vavunathivu under the facilitation of truce monitors.
Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Deputy Chief Hagrup Haukland described the killing as a "shameful act" and added it was a disaster in the context of the peace process.
He said the SLMM was inquiring into the incident.
According to sources, Nadeshan, a senior Tax Officer at the Inland Revenue Department was riding his motorcycle on Boundary Road, Batticaloa, when he was shot at by suspected pistol gang members at Manmunai junction.
Nadeshan had been shot at by unidentified gunmen who came on a motorcycle from the opposite side at Manmunai junction.
Nadeshan, hailing from Nelliadi, Jaffna had settled down in Lake Road, Batticaloa, after his marriage.
A father of three, he was the Vice President of the Journalists' Association of the East. According to Police, an article written by him to the Virakesari criticising the murder of university lecturer Kumaravel Thambiah could have been the cause for the killing. | LTTE condemns Nadesan's killing, warns SL security forces [see also Nadesan's funeral to be held in Nelliyady Wednesday and at Tamilnet]
While expressing sympathy to the members of Mr.Nadesan's family, the Political Wing of the Liberation Tigers, in a press release issued today from Kilinochchi, warned the Sri Lanka security forces and the militants assisting them that unless killings stop, people of Sri Lanka have to face a calamitous period.
Translation of excerpts from the release written in Tamil follows:
"Nadesan relentlessly championed to sharpen the fervor of Tamil Nationalism among our people using his writings. He advanced brilliant analyses on politics of nationalism, and his writings strengthened the justification for our armed struggle for freedom.
"Killing of intellectuals, journalists and friends of Tamil people is abominable. Even during this time of peace, anti-peace forces are engaged in barbaric activities. These actions are bound to lead the people of this island to a period of calamity and destruction.
"Sri Lanka security forces and the militants who are assisting them must realize the consequences. Current situation in Sri Lanka demands that these killings stop.
"Mr. Nadesan possessed several meritorious journalistic qualities. He gained admiration and credibility from International community for truthfully highlighting the suffering of Tamil people during times of war and peace. He also earned respect and trust with Tamil National leadership for aptly articulating the historic need for the Tamil people to rally behind the leadership. Even when his life was threatened he fearlessly remained steadfast to his principles.
"We express our deepest sympathy to Mr.Nadesan's family for their irreparable loss. The media world and Tamil Nation grieve on this day of Mr.Nadesan's death." | | Re Kumaravel Tambaiah see Thambaiah's funeral held in Vavuniya |  " ...Several University staff, students, Vavuniya district Head of LTTE's Political Wing, Gnanavel, Head of LTTE's Women Political Wing, Alai, Vanni district Parliamentarians, Sivanathan Kishor and Noharathalingam and members of the public attended the funeral ceremony. "We have lost an intellectual who spent his entire working life to improve the economic condition of our homeland and its people. Growing up in an impoverished village he persevered to educate himself to reach the position he held at the East University. It is a sad day for the Tamil community," said Gnanavel speaking at the memorial event. We strongly condemn his killing. Our leadership is taking steps to prevent incidents of this nature. We request the help of our people to cooperate to identify elements that are working to undermine the peace and normalcy in the region..."
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