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Hunger strikers: we are ready to die here
Benedict Moore-Bridger18 May 2009
Six Tamil demonstrators were on hunger strike in Parliament Square today in the continuing protest against the Sri Lankan offensive.
The four men and two women pledged to continue their starvation until the British government intervened following the apparent defeat of Tamil Tiger fighters in Sri Lanka.
They were among around 2,000 people protesting outside the Palace of Westminster against alleged attacks by Sri Lankan troops on Tamil civilians.
One of the protesters on hunger strike, Nimalan Seevaratnam, 41, said he would happily die for the cause.
He told the Standard: “I am prepared and more than happy to die. I can be truthful and honest in every word I say. We want to get a solution and we want to be peaceful. We're calling on the British government and the UN to send medicine to the north and east and for UN officials to report on what is happening.
“There should be no restrictions for anyone in the country. The Tamil Tigers have silenced their weapons as they don't want loss of life. From day one the Tamil Tigers have not fought an offensive war.”
Mr Seevaratnam said he and his fellow demonstrators had gone on hunger strike on Tuesday after being let down by the British government.
He said: “Because the other people on hunger strike respect the democratic process and politicians here they broke the fast, but unfortunately they (the politicians) are asking for more time and we don't want this to die away so different people have taken their places.
"Our fundamental request is the same and we are not asking for something totally unreasonable.”
Protesters dressed in fake bandages paraded around Parliament Square in a mock funeral procession to highlight what they called “the massacre” by Sri Lankan forces. Children as young as three gathered outside the Palace of Westminster as campaigners called on Gordon Brown and the UN to investigate claims of atrocities in the country.
Many of those gathered refused to believe reports that Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Pradhakaran had been killed attempting to flee in an ambulance.
Campaigners said the laying down of weapons by Tamil Tigers was the only way to secure safety for Tamil civilians.
Jeya Kumar, 31, said the death of the Tamil leader would be worse than losing his wife or parents.
He said: “I would be more sad than if my wife died. A hundred times more than that. He lives in everyone's hearts forever. Nobody thinks he has been killed. Nobody thinks he is dead.”
Mr Kumar said the Tamil Tigers fight would not be in vain if the international community could now help establish a lasting peace.
It would be worth it if the international community realises how ruthless the Sri Lankan government and leader is.
“We were saddened that they (Tamil Tigers) had stopped, but everyone knows the Sri Lankan government would have just killed everyone. We want peace.”
Karthika Shantha, 21, an Imperial College student said: “No-one is giving up the fight. We are not surrendering anything. All the Tamil people are dying and they are shouting for the international community to see what is going on and have some political involvement.
“No-one should be celebrating the killing of our people. It is not going to be over.”
Thusiyan Nandakumar, 20, a student at King's College, London said: “They have destroyed the Tamil Tigers but they will not destroy the Tamil nationalist movement. It is never over. Look how many people are here in London demonstrating.
“The truth is you can never stop the nationalist movement by defeating people military. You have to address the problem behind it - there has to be a political solution.
“I don't see it as a defeat. This will provide more incentive for the Tamil people.”
Janani Paramsothy, 18, from Ilford, said: “It is never going to be the end of the struggle. Even if the Tamil Tigers were completely wiped out the dream of our own independence will live on.
“If it does not happen we will go back to it. Fringe groups will take over if there is no political solution. There will be much more violence, and they will have seen nothing yet.”
Selvan Kulan, 32, from south London said: “The world has forgotten the Tamil people, but it is not the end. Our leader has not been killed. I believe he is safe, and the Tigers will come back. They will fight again. It is a sad day but our struggle will continue.”
Seethamalar Velumnilum, 71, said: “The British government are not helping. The Tamil Tigers are our people and this problem started in 1948. We want a solution.
"We know what the Sri Lankan government has done - they just want to take over. There will be more violence if the problem is not solved. There could rioting in Colombo. I just pray that our leader is alive. He must be alive.”
Reader views (7)
YOU FOOL I THING YOUR COMMON A GENOCIDE
- Psk, Visu, stockton, 02/06/2009 00:42
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Anything I can do personally to speed your demise?
- E.Reed, Bournemouth,UK, 19/05/2009 13:37
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Dear folks,
I have ordered to stop the war against LTTE from today morning onwards (19th May). So plz tell them to go home be happy !!
- Mahinda Rajapaksha, Colombo - Sri Lanka, 19/05/2009 10:11
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Praba & others are animals, traitors to tamils,muderers, terrorist of worst kind, deranged mad nutters .
They got what they deserve.
Did not even have the courage to swallow the cyanide capsules.
Sinhalam tamil & muslims all want peace. Tamils have no problems in Colombo.
If this dispora have any brains we all can live hapily as one family
- Karu, East ham, 18/05/2009 16:32
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ok, your choice, go for it.
- Brian, Wiltshire, 18/05/2009 16:03
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The Tamils youth of today will continue the struggle that our parents and grandfathers started.
The root of the problem must be addressed.
Today in Colombo Tamil families are being threatened by Singhala mobs to buy the Sri Lankan flag and hang them up on their houses. They are forced to buy a flag with several hundred rupees, if not heir houses will be burnt.
Tamil traders have said that Singhala mobs are taking stocks of rice and saying that they are having a party and it will be at the expense of the Tamils.
This is confirmed by a telephone call to Colombo. Tamils are shutting up and staying indoors but the question is for how long.
THE MEDIA MUST TAKE NOTE AND CONTACT TAMILS IN COLOMBO
THEY ARE BEING INTEMEDATED INTO PUTTING UP FLAGS.
IC MUST TAKE NOTE.
- Shamini, uk, 18/05/2009 14:47
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These young people you haveinterviewed have never experienced thelife in Sri Lanka. They don't really understand the agony experienced by all communities regardless of race or religion. These young people will never go back to Sri Lanka, they are not belonged there, they are British. They have undergone themisery and hardhsip of all people in Sri Lanka. Let all communities in Sri Lanka who suffered for the last 37 years because of the ruthless acts of one man that is Prabhakaran get together and build a new Sri Lanka. These young people will demonstrate in front of the British parliamnet forever for nothing. Life has to move on.
- Shantha, UK, 18/05/2009 14:24
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