Message - Tsunami Disaster

(in English & Tamil) 29 December 2004
[see also Tsunami Disaster & the People of Tamil Eelam - Appeal for Urgent Humanitarian Assistance]

"My beloved and respected Tamil people,

"Our homeland has faced an unprecedented major disaster and is submerged in deep sorrow today. A few days ago, totally unexpected by anybody, a sudden surge of a ferocious seismic tidal wave hit the coastal belts of the South East Asian region. In the island of Sri Lanka, the sea belt coast from Jaffna to Galle and especially our homeland territories became targets of Nature’s fury resulting in massive destruction of life and property. The devastation caused by this tidal surge has exacerbated the sufferings of our people already affected by a war that continued for over twenty years and has torn asunder our nation. I convey my feeling of attachment, consolation and deepest condolences to our people who have lost their beloved and dearest, and undergoing unbearable sorrow and pain.

 My condolences also go to our Muslim and Sinhala brethren in the southern coastal areas, who have lost their kith and kin, and in deep sorrow. I also take this opportunity to express my condolences and share the grief of all the people in the South Asian nations, India and Tamil Nadu in particular, on whom had befallen this disaster.

"This seismic tidal surge has not stopped with taking the lives of several thousands of our people and injuring thousands. Wiping out several sea coast hamlets, this has also destroyed the marine based livelihood of our people. Several families have been totally annihilated and the social infrastructure completely torn asunder. Habitats and homesteads of several families have been destroyed, severely impacting on their future.

"Our Liberation organisation, Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation, other Non-Governmental Organisations and several Civilian Based Organisations are jointly involved in relief and humanitarian assistance to our people who have met with this tragedy and are eking out a life of misery. I am obliged to convey my sense of gratitude and affection to our brethren living abroad who are voluntarily and magnanimously extending their helping hand to the relief activities, strengthening our resolve and giving hope to the distressed. I request of them earnestly to continue extend this assistance to salvage our people from the consequences of this major disaster. I solicit the support and magnanimous assistance of the international community and the UN agencies to help our people in distress."