David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Tuesday 28 April, 2009

Going to Sri Lanka

Thank you to those who commented on my last blog on Sri Lanka, from Britain and around the world.  As the comments show, the roots of the current crisis are very deep: Tamils who feel this is the last chapter in decades of repression, others who feel that LTTE terrorism is an open and shut case for government crackdown.  I recognise that - but there is also a simple fact: innocent lives are at stake now.

I am going to be in Sri Lanka on Wednesday with the French foreign minister. We can think of no better way to highlight our concerns with the short term civilian situation, which UN chief John Holmes described yesterday as dire. We will be pressing the case on the government of Sri Lanka to live up to the case made by the UNSC President on Friday to the press and repeating that the LTTE should facilitate exit from the conflict zone. There are the civilians in the conflict zone; but as the comments bring out, there are also the conditions outside the zone for anything up to 200,000 IDPs. 

Britain has pledged more money the Prime Minister announced an extra £2.5 million on Sunday  and France a field hospital, but without political will to allow aid workers to do their work there will be further suffering that will compound rather than resolve the fundamental conflict.

Posted at 23:40 28 April 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[84]

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Sir, thank you for visiting Sri Lanka and providing financial assistance to the Government to help look after the 200,000 plus Internally Displaced People/escaped LTTE hostages for whom the Government must now care and eventually resettle. However, your comments endorsing Mexico's Statement to the press on Friday suggesting that the Sri Lankan Government should allow UN and ICRC workers into the conflict zone is, with respect, a recipe to put such workers in harms way you will realise it is a battleground where, unlike Government forces, the LTTE still uses artillery and heavy weapons indiscriminately against Tamil civilians as well as the forces - to deter remaining civilians escaping their grip/propaganda purposes to exploit/discredit the government forces to international eyes and may even lead to them being taken hostage by the LTTE the latter are on their last legs and will resort to any act to buy themselves more time.

Posted by Dinu Senadheera on April 29, 2009 at 07:50 AM BST #

With respect, your criticism – i.e. ‘…but without political will to allow aid workers to do their work there will be further suffering that will compound rather than resolve the fundamental conflict’ – is very disappointing. Are you suggesting the Government allow aid workers to be put in harms way?

Posted by Dinu Senadheera on April 29, 2009 at 07:51 AM BST #

Mr.Miliband, I'm the journalist who tapped you on your shoulder for the last question at the conference held today 29th April 2009. I'm sorry if it was the wrong protocol but you answered the international media journalists' questions but none from the local media. I represent the state newspapers - Sunday Observer and Daily News and I thought it best to ask through your blog. My question had you allowed me to ask was how come Sri Lanka's humanitarian crisis is such a 'hot topic' right now? Millions of people have lost their lives for the past 23 years from the time the ethnic conflict started and why is the international community, namely the EU, so concerned and doing something about it now? We have had the so-called 'humanitarian crisis' for years and only now you have opened your eyes to this? Your feedback is greatly appreciated Mr.Miliband and I do hope you enjoy your first official visit to Sri Lanka.

Posted by Nilma Dole on April 29, 2009 at 09:24 AM BST #

While welcome your visit to SL on the current issue, I urge you and Briton to do more to bring a permanent political solution with UN, EU and US involvement to the 61 years long political and arm struggle of Tamils for equal and democratic rights. Tamils do not trust the SL government it is due to past history and experience not a blind wish or statement. Therefore UN safeguard of minority rights is necessary in any form of political solution. The best way forward is UN conducts a referendum in traditional Tamils area North & East of the island asking people to cast their vote whether to stay with SL or create a separate state for Tamils.

Posted by Mylvaganam on April 29, 2009 at 10:09 AM BST #

Please use this visit to do as much as you can, not only in getting help to those that are still trapped in the fighting, but to force the Sri Lankan government to open the doors to their camps, and to the whole of the North of Sri Lanka, to allow scrutiny and aid. If you visit the country and the camps, and do not make clear that this secretive attitude by the SL government is not good enough, then you will be condoning their control over the media coverage of their actions. And if the UK government just gives money, without ensuring that this is not just funding the conflict and massacre of innocent civillians, we will be helping this ruthless government in their human rights attrocities against the Tamil people.

Posted by Georgia Sandbach on April 29, 2009 at 12:36 PM BST #

The Sri Lankan government is happy to buy state-of-the-art military hardware to shell Tamil civilians to oblivion, but won't provide the 200,000 civilians it has 'rescued' even basic shelter, food or water. There is no better way of exposing the true motives of this government. The more 'aid' you pump into Sri Lanka, the more the Sri Lankan government is free to spend the rest of its budget on its killing machines.

Posted by Simon on April 29, 2009 at 12:44 PM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, You and the France Foreign Minister tried your best, and failed to convince the Adamant- SLG. We suffered long enough and we are in the edge now. Please do some real action towards recognising the Tamil Eelam based on our home Land - East & North. This would save thousand of Tamils from the murdering by the Terrorist SLG- Army. Once you recognised the Tamil Eelam, IC doesn’t need to fund us to build our Nation, we would build our Nation.

Posted by Oviya on April 29, 2009 at 01:28 PM BST #

Thanks David for Visting Srilanka and insisting SL Governement to stop the on going war. I think time has come now to put pressure on both side. Currently there are thousands of innocent civilains get killed and no one cares about. No journalists or NGOs are not allowed. I know British government and EU has already banned LTTE. But what about Srilankan governemnet. Currently they are not listening to any one and there is not enough presure been applied. Why can't Britsih government and EU treat Srilankan government similar to Zimbabe. EU and British government need to put enough pressure to Srilankan government to reach a political solution to this crisis. Otherwise they may eleminate LTTE, but still war is going to continue.

Posted by Siv Johnson on April 29, 2009 at 01:29 PM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, You and the France Foreign Minister tried your best, and failed to convince the Adamant- SLG. We suffered long enough and we are in the edge now. Please do some real action towards recognising the Tamil Eelam based on our home Land - East & North. This would save thousand of Tamils from the murdering by the Terrorist SLG- Army. Once you recognised the Tamil Eelam, IC doesn’t need to fund us to build our Nation, we would build our Nation.

Posted by Oviya on April 29, 2009 at 01:38 PM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, "Aid groups say some of the trapped civilians are dying of starvation". What would be your/UN's action for this?

Posted by Oviya on April 29, 2009 at 02:03 PM BST #

Thanks for visiting sriLanka on the current issue, I request and urge you and the Briton to bring immediate cease fire in the northern part of Srilanka. Since Britain left Srilanka, Tamils have been discriminated in many ways by the majority sinhala goverments, that led to this raise of tamil tigers. Most of the tamil people knew many well educated tamil boys and girls joined the tigers as they affected by any or one form of discrimination. Every one knew by their heart, they had been forced to take arms by the sinhala government which never respected the minority tamils rights and feelings. May be the battle may end with defeating the tigers in the particular place in vanni but not the War. So I urge you bring a permanent political solution with UN,EU and US involvement to this long political and arm struggle of tamils for equal and democratic rights.

Posted by jeyanthy Srinivasan on April 29, 2009 at 02:57 PM BST #

Tamil people are fighting for there freedom. They are not killing the Sinhalese people. The Sri Lankan government is killing Tamilsincluding children. The world needs to know that.

Posted by Brenly Bernard on April 29, 2009 at 03:30 PM BST #

I think to that end you should not give the protesters outside the house of commons false hopes by promising to put pressure on the Sri Lankan government only. In your conversation with the lady representative of the protesters I did not hear you asking her to put pressure on the LTTE to release the civilians. Instead you said you will press the govt for a ceasefire. These signals are conveyed back to the LTTE giving them false hopes and strengthening their resolve to hold the civilians for longer. I personally feel the LTTE will release these people and spare their lives only when they realise they cannot use them as a bargaining chip any more.

Posted by dingiri on April 29, 2009 at 04:39 PM BST #

Can I also add to what Mr. Mylvaganam has said. He is right about pressurising the govt for providing a solution for the Tamils. But any solution should be based on equality and reciprocity. He wants both the North and the East handed over to the Tamils. The Sinhalese see this as merely a sinister land grab. Check out the History and the demographics and you will find that only the Jaffna peninsula can be termed exclusively Tamil. The Vanni and the East have a shared Sinhala and Tamil tradition. You only need to read archaelogical studies on the Island made by the British to see the Sinhala history in these areas. A fair and proportionate partition of the country between the two communities should be acceptable even to the Sinhalese.

Posted by dingiri on April 29, 2009 at 04:52 PM BST #

A UN evaluation of minority rights in Sri Lanka would be most welcome. Take away the context of the war and you fill find Tamils enjoy certain rights not even enjoyed by your own Welsh and Gaelic minorities. For instance. Tamil is widely used even outside the so-called Tamil areas. In the South, Street signs, Govt publications, Govt documents are published in both Sinhala and Tamil. e.g. If you take a Sri Lankan Passport, Currency Note, ID document, the Hansard, You will find the printing in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Not so for Welsh and Gaelic? There is no compulsion for Tamils to learn the Sinhala language. Almost all government and Private schools cater for both languages, and even in Colombo, Tamils can study in Tamil all the way upto their A'Levels exclusively in Tamil without having to learn a word of Sinhala. Imagine the outcry in UK if Moslem faith schools start teaching exclusively in Urdu?Well, In Sri Lanka its been a fact of life for 60 years!

Posted by dingiri on April 29, 2009 at 05:14 PM BST #

Thank you for visiting Sri Lanka on a failed mission. When Sri Lanka refused permission for Swedish FM you should have realised their intention that they are not going to listen to you. Now it is time for you to lift the ban on LTTE which we see as freedom fighters.It is time act.

Posted by Ravi on April 30, 2009 at 07:44 AM BST #

Nilma Dole, Others interfere when things go wrong beyond a certain limit. But that limit came a long time ago and successive Sri Lankan governments have been doing a lot of damage control exercise even at the UN - similar human rights violators have been ganging up together even at the level of UN and hence we have seen many geocides around the world in the last few decades.

Posted by p.selvaratnam on April 30, 2009 at 07:58 AM BST #

Dingiri, Use of Tamil in name boards, passports, etc. hide the economic and political oppression of the last six decades. Even the use of Tamil medium for instruction in schools hide the much reduced funding for education in Northeast - Tamils spend a lot more private funds on education - this was used by the rearmy taking revenge on the 23 July 1983 attack on the army by the LTTE. Early morning the following day the army went spraying bullets into buses with young children going for tuition.

Posted by p.selvaratnam on April 30, 2009 at 08:05 AM BST #

Dear David Miliband This has been an extremely vicious conflict that needs third party intervention - not just the softie-softie approach adopted by Norway but much more robust than the ''do you want peace or do you want to win the war'' approach adopted by Martti Ahtisaari with Indonesia/Aceh. You need to analyse what has been going on in the last six decades to find a solution. Please hurry.

Posted by p.selvaratnam on April 30, 2009 at 08:10 AM BST #

The type of treatment should depend on the type of ailment. In the case of Sri Lanka there have been storm signals, ignored by the international community, from the time of independence - it started with the removal of citizenship, by parliamentary Act in 1948, of nearly a million Tamils whose fathers were not born in Sri Lanka and who were brought by the British from India to work in tea estates. What would have happened if such an Act were introduced in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand at that time?

Posted by p.selvaratnam on April 30, 2009 at 08:20 AM BST #

At the moment of writing more than 120000 tamils are in the Safe zone those coming out and being detained in concentration type camps with no access and freedom to move outside and this includes those who do not wish to stay there.A ceasefire is the need of the hour.

Posted by Rita Wilson on April 30, 2009 at 08:30 AM BST #

Juts to point out to Mr Dingri and others, the Indo – Lanka packed signed by then president of Sri Lanka J R Jayewardene and Prime Minister of India Rajeev Ghandi in 1987 clearly says that North & East of the island is traditional Tamils Homeland. It is true there are Sinhalese also exists in this area like Tamils in rest of the island. We are not asking Colombo and up counties to be included in Tamil Elam where there is large number of Tamil population live for centuries and contributed for the better of the country. It is shame on all of us to allow this war to go on for so long and the current carnage in this 21st century world, it makes me feel sick. Hope the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India and other moderate countries will take firm stand and push UN to take firm action to stop the war and bring a political solution. I hope our young Foreign and Common Wealth Sectary Hon David Miliband will play a crucial role and create a positive history.

Posted by Mylvaganam on April 30, 2009 at 10:04 AM BST #

Mr.Milliband first I appreciate your visit. Do not confuse yourself ,Terrorism is not related with Freedom struggle. Since 1983 Sri Lankan rulers have been saying “There is no Ethnic problem in Sri Lanka only Terrorist problem”. If there is a Terrorist problem why did they involve several round talks with Tamil Tigers? Since 1995 exodus, Tamils have been running with Tamil Tigers to save their life, I disagree the word ‘people are trapped ‘, they want to live in their own soil with peace and harmony, they do not want to live in open prison or caged animals. Simply I asked you a question, please give me a reply “ There are many cruel thugs surrounded your own house with dangerous weapons and saying evacuate form your house , you are calling 999 but the police say they could not help you they are very busy and say you have to negotiate with them or surrender, what is your reaction?”

Posted by N.James on April 30, 2009 at 10:18 AM BST #

Mr.Milliband, Thank you for your efforts. However, as most Tamils knew nothing was going to come out of it and we are not at all surprised that a massive military strike is taking place right now. Mr.Senadheera, you speak as if the LTTE is holding these people to ransom. How many friends or family have you lost to your government’s artillery shelling and chemical weapons in the last four months? I know atleast 7 and believe me; they were not killed by the LTTE. I don’t think your academic and sanctimonious attitude has any other purpose than just plaudit the hypocrisy and murder committed by your government. Your comments brings to mind about ‘… casting the first stone’?! The LTTE is not going around killing sinhala civilians, but the SL army is killing Tamils. There is a world of difference here. As for the LTTE being wiped out…LOL

Posted by K.T.Moorthy on April 30, 2009 at 01:05 PM BST #

Dear Milliband, Our current SriLankan government and authorities call any body who raises their voice for humanity or media freedom as terrorist.You might have noticed in your visit to SriLanka that they call you as a terrorist too. What are you going to do next to protect the innocent Tamil Civilians in SriLanka. Only an urgent and a co ordinated action from IC will safeguard the lifes of innocent Tamil Civilians.

Posted by Gunesena Banda on April 30, 2009 at 01:20 PM BST #

PLEASE STOP THE KILLING FIRST. Hon. Foreign Secretary David Miliband, It is imperative that HUMAN LIVES are saved and the SUFFERING stopped immediately. There are reports of 300 people losing lives yesterday and that two children died in a rush to get some bread that were thrown on to the bare ground in a concentration camp where people are starting to disappear. International community MUST push its way into the affected area and STOP the thinking of REMOVING people and our armed-resistance from their homeland. As you and others of our parliament said, killing parts of our armed resistance is not even part of the solution. Only constitutional change with self-determination can help. Why should the oppressed and our defenders be scrutinised for the Himalayan atrocities committed against my people? Please don't remove the only shield Tamils have - the tigers unless we are to enshrine protection for the SL Tamil community in the British constitution. Yours sincerely Sundar, Harrow

Posted by Sundar Bala on April 30, 2009 at 02:10 PM BST #

Tamils in Sri Lanka suffered a lot by the discrimination of Sri Lankan racist state. It will not stop its structured genocide until the international community take a viable action. Why can't you deproscirbe LTTE as they are freedom fighters. If you lift the ban the world will follow you and you make the Sri Lanka to listen to you otherwise your words are in a deaf year

Posted by Ranil Jeyasuriya on April 30, 2009 at 02:15 PM BST #

Dear Mr.Milliband, Now that you have seen the true plight of the civilians trapped within the concentration camps and the refusal of the Srilankan government to allow UN within the so called safezone, you will understand why the Tamils feel that they will never get a fair deal from the SL government. It is about time UK take a firm action against Sri Lanka together with US and EU. US has already threathened to block the emergency loan from IMF to Sri Labka, most of this will no doubt be used for the war. The Tamils who came out of the safe zone cannot say any thing against the SL forces or supporting the LTTE and expect to live another minute. They will be killed on the spot if they were to do that. Also what you saw in your trip to Vavunia is what the SL government wanted to show it to the out side world, the conditions in the other camps are much worse.

Posted by Varathan on April 30, 2009 at 02:45 PM BST #

Tamils in Sri Lanka suffered a lot by the discrimination of Sri Lankan racist state. It will not stop its structured genocide until the international community take a viable action. Why can't you deproscirbe LTTE as they are freedom fighters. If you lift the ban the world will follow you and you make the Sri Lanka to listen to you otherwise your words are in a deaf year.

Posted by Ranil Jeyasuriya on April 30, 2009 at 05:55 PM BST #

Sir; Thank you very much for your consideration on our Tamils. I think we are the one being insulted in all the ways by the SLG. It predicts that the the Srilankan Government not going to listen any one and that they want to demolish us. Please ask all the international community to take better and final decession to stop the war in Srilanka as well to save Tamils.

Posted by Karavaiyooraan-Kilavythoddam on April 30, 2009 at 07:09 PM BST #

Thanks for visiting Sri lanka and meeting the notorious Rajapaksa family. At least by now you would have got an idea of how Tamils are suffering under the Sinhalese for the last 60 years. I personally went through hell in 1983 when Sinhalese killed our relatives in Colombo. What is happening now is Genocide. UN has evidence that the Srilankan forces are using banned cluster bombs , artillery and air force bombing civilians in the "safe zone" . What is happening is GENOCIDE of the Tamil people. It is time to act against Srilankan Terror State by the EU , and UN! We Tamils know you can make a change to the Tamil peoples lives. It is useless playing geo politics as Sri lanka is so arrogant because of China and Sonia Congress of India who will be out of power in two weeks time. It is time to recognise TAMIL EELAM!

Posted by Gopi on April 30, 2009 at 07:26 PM BST #

We support your effort to argue on our behalf with the Rajapakse clan. Soon you will be called a white Tiger or white terrorist by the Srilankan leadership.. This is the way the Srilankan government has used the so called fight against terrorism, to carry out a Genocide. Hope you will understand how every British Tamil feels when he is called a Terrorist for supporting our own peoples freedom from this Srilankan State Terror. It up to UK to decide who are going to be their friends, a racist anti western Sinhala Srilankan government or a pro western Tamil Eelam- where all the Diaspora Tamils live in the western country

Posted by Gopi on April 30, 2009 at 08:03 PM BST #

Dear Mr.Milliband, Thank you for visiting Sri Lanka on a failed mission. Now World know who is the real terrorists. i think in this world Srilanka is the first killer for own people. why they doing that? Tamil people alwaysmore than 30 years thinking Sri Lankan GOV not give any freedom to live their own landnorth east they feeling LTTE is the GOD Father for tamil people life and only one freedom fighters for tamil's rights ans freedom It is gave the god order to LTTE. eany one cant breake this mission. I like EU must involved again killed Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

Posted by sothy Sivaruban on April 30, 2009 at 11:15 PM BST #

Thanks for your effort to bring up a ceasefire. Please do not stop working on it and do something to save the innocent Tamils in Vanni. They have suffered enough. I don't know how many more lives they have to loose before the international community to act on this issue.

Posted by Kalaiarasy on May 01, 2009 at 12:41 AM BST #

Dear Sir, Britain and the IC has an obligation to immediately stop the war and an opportunity to correct past colonial mistakes in Ceylon. Manicka Vasagar,Perth

Posted by Manicka on May 01, 2009 at 01:38 AM BST #

"The Tamils in SL are been suffered more than the Sinhalese". It’s a true statement. They have been suffered tremendously by the LTTE Terrorist group for decades. How anyone with right mind can pretend the LTTE fights for Tamils, when the clearly shoot the Tamil hostages who are trying to flee from LTTE grip? The bloody genocide has been initiated by LTTE Terrorists and still continues in LTTE controlled zone. If the migrated asylum seekers of Tamils want to help their relative in distress in war zone, pressure the LTTE terror group to release the Tamil hostages. What would these asylum seekers wants a third party to interfere? For three decades the SL govt has not benefited or found a solution by intonations agencies, in fact the NGO were clearly supporting the LTTE, not the other way round. Does this means Europe is getting exposed for its support for Terrorist? Sounds like it.

Posted by Ariyawansa on May 01, 2009 at 05:14 AM BST #

Britain and other members of the international community were now plaguing Sri Lanka with "unnecessary" visits to please the Tamil communities in their own countries.

Posted by Rajitha Banda on May 01, 2009 at 06:28 AM BST #

Dear Sir, We, Tamils, applaud you for your sincere efforts to bring peace to Tamils. We have been suffering many forms of systematic discrimination for the past sixty years. Any of the successive Sinhalese governments have been unable to put forth a solution that addresses the grievances of Tamils. If you ask the Sinhalese, majority of them will deny this altogether except for some noble souls who stand up for truth. In such a situation, I think it is better to get the story from the oppressed as an oppressor always tries to hide behind some mask such as 'war against terrorism'. The proof for all these atrocities we suffered are everywhere in Tamil sites in the form of photos, videos and eye witness accounts. More than 100,000 are still trapped and hundreds are being killed everyday. We, Tamils, wake up everyday expecting a miracle to save the innocent lives. Please save the innocent Tamils. Thank You.

Posted by Malathy on May 01, 2009 at 10:01 AM BST #

Dear Mr Miliband, thank you very much for visiting SL. I am a Tamil born and brought up in SL. I humbly request you one thing and am sure many more tamil expats will request exactly the same. Please push for a UN security Council resolution to intervene immediately in the Sri Lanka crisis that has killed many thousand Tamil civilians. If UN can independantly assess the situation and damage caused to the Tamils of the North-East, Sri Lanka the truth will emerge together with the next step towards solving the crisis. SL is definitely hiding its sins against the Tamils in North and East. Please do not delay. Once again I thank you very much for your sincere efforts in pursuit of the truth that is hiden.

Posted by Rajan on May 01, 2009 at 10:15 AM BST #

Hope the British government accept the situation in Sri Lanka and act to safe guard the humanatarian crisis

Posted by emmanuel on May 01, 2009 at 11:07 AM BST #

With over 1 Million displaced persons within Sri Lanka and another million slowly displaced over many years of communal hatred and violence living in several countries the Sri Lankan Tamil should have a country of their own to settle down It is the only solution. A sovereign Sri Lankan state is not an option as it is a failed state with its unitary Religious and Language Policy with a one hundred percent Sinhala Armed forces. Diplomacy works only with those who could reason, you may have found out first hand how it is to deal with the First Family which rules that country.

Posted by S.Sivarajah on May 01, 2009 at 01:52 PM BST #

Mr Miliband I appreciate your effort in bringing relief to the civilians trapped in the War Zone in the North of Sri Lanka. Tamil civilians have been facing untold sufferings and it is the duty of the world now to make sure they do not suffer any longer. They need to have the Freedom to get on with their lives where they will be independent and Free. These are people with sufficient resources of their own without having to rely on Aids from anyone. Further there is an urgent need to treat the injured civilians in hospitals rather than open under the trees in primitive conditions.

Posted by M Thiruvasagam on May 01, 2009 at 02:06 PM BST #

Mr Miliband, why is the governemnt not utterly condemning the state terrorism of the Sri Lankan government in bombing innocent civilians and using chemical weapons? Why indeed are the Tamil Tigers listed as a terrorist organisation when they are clearly a national liberation army? The discrimination against LTTE in negotiations that give full representation to the views of the Sri Lankan Singalese government is a key part of the problem and the ongoing political stalemate. In your capacity as Foreign Secretary, to ensure you have a fully informed view of the situation in our former colonial territory, you should be aware that several Tamil MPs elected in the last pariamentary elections in the country in 2004 have been murdered, including Mr Maheswaran and Nadarajah Raviraj. Veteran Eastern Province Parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham was shot dead last year at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Batticaloa during midnight mass for Christmas.

Posted by Mark Simon Brown on May 01, 2009 at 02:18 PM BST #

Dear Sir, We Tamils are little hope now that your government, France and other european ccountries with US will help us to free our people and our land from the genocidal government. The tamils who are living there, are facing lots of problem even if they are out of war zone. IC especially Britain have the responsibility to stop the genocide of tamils as it did made the mistake in colonial time. So this is the time for you to corrct the mistake.

Posted by vasen on May 01, 2009 at 02:28 PM BST #

Sir, high time for you and your Govt. to take action and safeguard the Poor Tamils in Sri Lanka who can not fight for their rights. They are not beggars to accept what the GOSL gives them. They want equal rights like Singhalese which was denied from the Independence of Sri Lanka which was given by U.K. without losing a single drop of their blood. Now the Freedom Fighters are fighting for nearly 30 years and lost so many lives and unable to get their freedom thanks for India & Pakistan. U.K. Government must act fast now and safeguard the Tamils and allow them to live in Sri Lanka peacefully with their basic rights.

Posted by A.K.K. Waran. on May 01, 2009 at 04:19 PM BST #

Dear Sir, It is the duty of Britain to stop this war and get the rights of the Tamils people in Sri Lanka and correct the mistake what they have done 60 years back when they have granted Independence to Sri Lanka.

Posted by A.K.K. Waran. on May 01, 2009 at 06:45 PM BST #

Aid given to Sri Lanka will be spent on killing Tamils. It's war crime.

Posted by Ann on May 01, 2009 at 07:55 PM BST #

Dear Miliband, Now you should be realizing the stand of Sri Lankan government against the Tamils. Sri Lankan government is prepared to kill rest of the people in the so-called Safe-Zone. What are you waiting for? How many people are you expecting to be killed to recognize the Tamils cause. And you should be realizing why Tamils took the arms in their hands? LTTE is the only force which is fighting for the oppressed Tamil people. Please don’t let more people to die. Recognize or self-determination. Only the partitioning the island will bring the fight to the end. Take action now. Save the Tamils. Don’t go and beg Sri Lankan government since you are one of the super powers.

Posted by GOBI on May 01, 2009 at 09:04 PM BST #

Dear Mr. Miliband You should be knowing by now that the Rajapakse family, ruling Sri Lanka with an iron fist have browbeaten you and the UN into submission under cover of the "war on terror", concealing absolute tyranny and the genocide of a people. You and John Holmes have been very lenient with Sri Lanka in your statements where as you use strong language and harsh words when it comes to the LTTE. It's obvious the IC apply double standards in terms of "acts of terrorism" by the SL govt vis a vis the LTTE. You are allowing the SL govt to get away with mass murder of innocent Tamil civilians, now that the satellite images are out and there is proof, it's time you acted to disable Sl's air capability and prosecute the the 'R' brothers and Palitha Kohene and Co for crimes against humanity.

Posted by Stop Sri Lanka on May 02, 2009 at 01:06 AM BST #

Mr Miliband , how was the heven? i mean sri lanka because sri lanka is worse than heven. i think you would have realised now. Mr Miliband i will tell you some think , truth never die , it will come out one day , The day is Independence of Tamileelam.

Posted by kumar on May 02, 2009 at 01:09 AM BST #

Dear Mr. Miliband Now that you are back I would like to know what you have achieved from your visit to Sri Lanka? What tangible benefits have you secured for 1. The Tamil civilians in the conflict zone subject to aerial bombardment and artillary fire, with no food no water and no medical care 2. The Tamil civilians in concentration camps that are held captive, traumatised, screened, disappeared, separated and dying without proper medical care and food. This is a cry for help on behalf of these people. This is an open and shut case of mass destruction of a people pepetrated by Sri Lanka. I think you should be more forceful in your condemnation of the SL regime rather then reserve your harshest critisisms for the LTTE. For crying out loud call a spade a spade. Who is killing whom?

Posted by Usah S Sri-Skanda-Rajah on May 02, 2009 at 01:40 AM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, the International Community is very quick in asking the LTTE to facilitate the movement of civillians from the conflict zone. However, so far when it comes to guaranteeing the safety of those civilians, should they choose to come out, the International Community hides behind statements such as "we cannot interfere with the actions of a soveriegn Country". Hundreds of thousands of Tamil civilians are lamenting and undergoing enormous hardship in various camps including camps in India. Do we need more camps? Please do not be hoodwinked anymore by a callous but cunning Sri Lankan Government. The best way to deal with this Government is for the British Government to de-proscribe the LTTE so that negotiations with the true representatives of the Tamil people in the north-east of Sri Lanka and the Tamil diaspora can resume. Please let the Tamil people live in their own homes with dignity not in camps surrounded by barbed wire.

Posted by Siva on May 02, 2009 at 01:48 AM BST #

Thanks for your effort to bring up a ceasefire. Sri lankan govt always lied to out side world. today also they have bombed a hospital in safe zone killing 10 innocent civilians including children. when they are going to stop bombing innocent people? People who are in their camps also suffering. they are taking youngters to somewhere. no body knows what they are doing with these people. Please put a pressure on Sri lanakn govt to allow aid workers in the camps. Specially why children separated from their parents in the camps? why? Please allow the aid workers in the camps. In Sri lanka there is no safe place for tamils. Last week in Eastern province Batticalo 3 children abducted by help of Srilankan army and today people found one of the child dead aged 4. Sri lankan army wiping out tamils from East and North. Sri Lanka president said "He will protect his country". that means he is protecting his ethnic Sinhalese not tamils. Please Please do something to save tamils.

Posted by Malini on May 02, 2009 at 10:49 AM BST #

First of all I do appreciate you to come forward to consider the atrocities against the innocent Tamils. Lions and Tigers are dangerous animals, now the Lions are enormous blood thirsty and lust, the father Lion granted permission to his cubs to do anything, there are many young Tamil children and Tamil girls trapped into their cages, we are hearing many horrible stories, UN Peace Keeping Forces must be sent immediately to the war zone and save the innocent human beings.

Posted by Param on May 02, 2009 at 10:50 AM BST #

Only way to resolve the Tamils' problem is to recognise Tamil Eelam as a nation and let Sri Lankan mind their own business in their land.

Posted by T S Ratnam on May 02, 2009 at 11:30 AM BST #

Dear Mr.Miliband, Now that you have seen Sri Lankan politics first hand, I hope you understand that Tamils are at the hands of brothers who don't care about how many people die. Mr.Gotabhaya said in a recent statement that Britain and France had wasted his time and Mr.Rajapakse aid he didn't need "lectures from Western countries". Are we going to be the people who let over 50 000 people die in inhumane shelling and starvation because the government wouldn't listen to anyone? Let's act now instead of being sorried later. A permanent ceasefire monitored by the international community is needed immediately.

Posted by Thebana G on May 02, 2009 at 04:42 PM BST #

Dear mr Milliband. Pl.help stop the killings first.Pl.also remember that the Tamils aspirations be met since they have cried out for the last 60 yrs. dignity,sweat,tears,blood,lives, and land have been lost over the last 60 yrs. Trust has been lost many years ago.The Sri .L govt failed to build bridges of trust and reconciliation over these years. The Tamils are tired waiting. Thankyou

Posted by palmyrah1 on May 02, 2009 at 10:49 PM BST #

Dear Mr. Miliband: First of all, thank you for putting the health and welfare of the innocent civilians a top priority. The current humanitarian catastrophe has only widened the gap between the Tamil moderates and the GOSL. LTTE is only a symptom of the disease called Sinhala chauvinism. Almost all Tamil Diaspora has been a victim of this disease since “independence.” The Tamil militancy is not going to go away until the GOSL is fair by all its citizens. If not, united Sri Lanka is an illusion and the disharmony will spread to all over the island and beyond. I’m glad to note that the IC recognizes this fundamental truth. May the force be with you to bring peace to this once a paradise island.

Posted by Prof. T. Thambi on May 02, 2009 at 11:01 PM BST #

Sir, Thank you for being a friend in need when so many other countries have turned a blind eye. This is not an Internal problem as the two ethnic groups have a history of internecine war. Now one party is vested with all executive and legislative powers i.e. 90 sinhala dominated Government and has closed the doors for a favorable political settlement by Parliamentary vote as the Tamils can never obtain a 2/3 majority vote for any legislature needed for power sharing. This matter MUST be resolved by the International Community pressuring the Government to amend the Constitution to grant a solution rooted in Federalism with equal rights to Tamils. Britain especially must take responsibility to solve the ethnic crisis longterm and guarantee our safety and freedom.

Posted by Gita Sathianathan on May 02, 2009 at 11:06 PM BST #

Sir, the exceptional circumstances of the Tamil civilians from Vanni must be viewed with sensitivity and understanding. They chose to live and work under the LTTE de jure administration in the Vanni region following the ceasefire of 2002 and swore allegiance to that de jure administration that had its own legal system. Please treat them as human beings who have a right to chose, they do not want to go into enemy territory and be debased and subjugated. They want to live or die with dignity. They are not being forced by the LTTE to stay, this is a deliberate distortion of the truth, as Tamils we understand their feelings. They cannot any more identify with Sri Lanka. Its claim that these people want to be saved from the LTTE is a gross misrepresentation, the truth is that they want to be saved from the SL government whom they do not trust or owe allegiance to.

Posted by Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah on May 02, 2009 at 11:43 PM BST #

It’s a shame that under the pretext of fighting terror the IC has condoned a mass slaughter of people who merely wanted not to leave their refuge in the tiny strip of coastal land in Mullaitivu; their desire to stay should have been respected and their lives protected from SL bombing & shelling. Their starvation and deteriorating health condition is an indictment on the UN Security Council & the IC that applies double standards between state & non-state entities when it comes to "acts of terrorism", it's a crying shame! We condemn this hypocrisy! These people have no voice, I can't undestand Mr. Holmes who keeps insisting that LTTE should release them, but cannot guarantee that youngsters and chilren won't be screened tortured or disappeared. He has done nothing to ensure that independent humanitarian organizations take responsibility for their care.

Posted by Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah on May 03, 2009 at 12:04 AM BST #

Sir, It's scandalous that China and India are competing to provide arms to Sri Lanka to kill Tamil civilians. It's disgusting. Mr. Miliband you have to intervene to stop Tamil civilians being used as pawns by these two major emerging super powers who are fighting a covert war to establish a foot hold in Sri Lanka for their own geo-political interests. The IC can't just be bystanders especially Britain. Please don't let Tamil civilians be treated as sub-humans. You can't let these people down who have no voice, they're are looking to the world for help.

Posted by Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah on May 03, 2009 at 12:20 AM BST #

Dear Mr. Milliband, England, Europe & US must convince the UN to intervene in srilanka to STOP the killing of Tamils. The sinhala dominated government of srilanka is committing GENOCIDE. The UN must intervene to PROTECT the Tamils. the UN, US, UK, EU and all must invoke R2P to intervene in srilanka.

Posted by Bostamilan on May 03, 2009 at 01:48 AM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, Thx high time Tamils ended the "Marriage of inconvenience" made by the British and hope British could be involved in divorce process so that Sinhalese & Tamils can live and let live. After the energy could be channeled in to rebuilding their separate regions and no one need to step on each others toes to be popular in order to gain votes.

Posted by SRatnam on May 03, 2009 at 04:11 AM BST #

Mr. Milliband Thank you for going to Sri Lanka with the French foreign minister. before you even went there we could have predicted this outcome. Ofcourse now you have firsthand experience on how they work! Would you atleast NOW take some firm & strong action for a permanent cease fire & a fair solution for the Tamils who are suffering & dying every day? You are a smart & educated man - you should know that if this government will not permit independent aid workers & journalist they have a lot to hide. How much longer will you permit this Genocidal Government's "WAR ON TERROR"? The Primeminister's pledge of 2.5 Million pounds if given to the government will either dissapear into the "R" brothers pockets or into to the war efforts. So please think before you send this money............

Posted by concerned on May 03, 2009 at 04:51 AM BST #

Thank you for visiting and trying to bring the ceasefire in Srilanka. Unfortunately the SL government did not accept it this time , but please do not stop doing your best to bring the peace in srilanka by talking with other countries immediately as you are owed a lot to do for tamils in srilanka....

Posted by chitra on May 03, 2009 at 03:31 PM BST #

Dear Mr.Miliband, Thank you for your recent visit to Sri Lanka. But the Govt. of Sri Lanka has turned a deaf ear to French Foreign secretary and you. What have you both achieved by visiting Northern Part of Lanka. The atrocities is still going on by the Govt forces. Sir, what is Britain planning to do next? My humble request is: should Britain and France take this to next level to EU by putting sanctions on Sri Lanka. By forcing them bring up a ceasefire ASAP, working towards the lasting peace for innocent Tamil civilians. As you know the viable solution can be achieved only by giving the Tamils’ right to self determination. It is the duty of Britain also the IC to stop this war and get the rights of the Tamils people in Sri Lanka.

Posted by Suresh S. on May 03, 2009 at 07:31 PM BST #

Mr Miliband we thank you for visting and giving us & telling the world what & how things are in Sri Lanka, unlike the Dr. Liam Fox, you visited camps and spoke to people on the field. We are grateful to you. Sri Lankan Sinhala Government has failed in doing just to the Tamils. They are now flirting with China, Iran, Syria as they are giving them multi millions and billions. We all know about their stance of press & religious and plitical freedom they allow to their citizens and their human right records. Our rouge regime is using this crises as a poly to get free handouts and cheap loans. With this money they can afford to be stroppy with UN, UK & US. These foolish President has admitted what he denied all along the fact of using heavy bombs & lethal weapons by saying that he has ordered the army not to use heavy weapons. It is very clearly apparent they the ones who are terrorising the civilians and not the LTTE. It is time to remove ban on LTTE

Posted by Bala on May 04, 2009 at 12:23 AM BST #

Dear Mr Miliband I Thankyou for the visit to Srilanka Sri Lanka government is intensifying a full scale war on the Tamil Homeland to impose Military Solution & calling it as “War on Terror”. No credible political solution is under discussion by SL government. Plaese please please please please do some thing. Ask the question? why so called SL democratic government not allowing media coverage. Ceylon was famous for tea once and then cricket and now famous for Genocide. Hitler saved Oxford and Cambridge as you all know for the educational benefits. So called SL government bombed Tamil libraries, Schools and universities, check it out and all happened.

Posted by Amarnath on May 04, 2009 at 07:47 AM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, Now that Sri Lanka has refused to listen to you and the French minister and of course refused to talk to Mr Carl Bildt, does the international community still plan to watch the Tamils being killed without taking any stronger action? The international community needs to follow the"right 2 protect" principle and recognize the need for Tamils in Sri Lanka to live without fear of being a Tamil. If that means recognition of Tamil Eelam, or dialogue with the LTTE, I urge you to consider it. Thank you

Posted by Nalayini on May 04, 2009 at 08:36 AM BST #

Dear Respected minister Mr.Maliband, As you very well know Britain has moral and ethical obligation to separate Tamils' land from the extremist Sinhalese, this is the only way Tamils can be saved in today's context of Genocide by the government o Sri Lanka. I refer to the question by Nimal Dole, a so called journalist, who does not seem to know the value of human beings. Under UN charter, countries have obligations to talk about and to intervene, when the people rights are violated continuously by a government by violating all the Geneva conventions. So, Mr.Maliband pls continue with your good works to find justice to Tamils in Sri Lanka.You should not be scared and your efforts should not be deterred by the extremist elements and useless Buddhist monks. Thank you

Posted by John Fernando on May 04, 2009 at 11:48 AM BST #

Dear David thanks for the effort I have one of the person seen ant Tamil riots in 1956, 1958, 1977 1978 a nd 1983 where no tigers at that time but Amirthalingam & Chelvanayakam two Membeers of Parliment were name as terrorist by Sinhala Govenment. why they spoke of Tamil problem.Same even you say any reasonable one you are also a terror for Shri lankan .

Posted by S.Suriyakumar on May 04, 2009 at 02:18 PM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband we appreciate your effort to bring ceasefire in sri lanka. now you can realise that Sri Lankan Government is not listening to your voice.only to controll sri lanka dont give loans or economic relief . please take the issue to UN to act Fast.

Posted by Carthigeyan on May 05, 2009 at 01:49 AM BST #

Violence is not the answer for Violence. Srilankan President is not capable of understanding this basic truth. He is determined to do what he thinks is right and the man is full of ego. He needs to be stopped from continuing to do these attrocities and genocide against Tamils in the name of war against terrorism. Tigers are not terroists. USA and UK have lot to answer for. At least Obama has shown his dissaproval UK is still dithering. Talks with the Srilankan president has are not done anything. What is Mr Milliband going to do to get Rajapakshe to start negotiating and not go on killing?

Posted by RS on May 05, 2009 at 01:54 PM BST #

The world has all the modern technology to monitor the Sri Lanka situation and still reluctant to enforce any solutions. All the people who are in the small enclave have been in the Tiger controlled area for many years and face ceratin death/torture at the hands of SL Army. This is a racist war with the ultimate aim of destoying tamil population and Tamil heritage. Od the 100,00plus tamils killed during the last 35 years over 90 killed by SL forces and Singhala goons. IF IC can take over the safety of trapped civilians tomorrow all will walk out without any delay. Ceratin death in the hands of SL army is keeping them with Tigers. There is no point in having an enquiry after the death of 50,000 to 100,000 civilians saving even one life now is very crucial

Posted by S.G Sundar on May 06, 2009 at 12:44 AM BST #

150000 Tamils civilians in the so called are being starved to death by a food blockade imposed on the So called Safe Zone still by the Sri Lankan government .Further 3 Channel 4 British journalists have been arrested for reporting the truth of human rights violations in the detention camps in Sri Lanka the first independent report filmed from inside the detention camps.Nick Paton Walsh is very reputed television journalist and to be arrested is shocking more so in a country were over 20 pro opposition and Tamil journalists have been killed and several have fled the country.UK should lodge a official protest with Sri Lanka

Posted by Nathan on May 09, 2009 at 10:00 PM BST #

Dear Rt Hon . David Miliband I would like to draw your attention to the issue that the Tata Group is facing with the acquisition of JLR There was a massive press coverage in Leading Indian newspapers today, regarding the press conference of Mr. Ratan Tata,the Chairman of Tata Group. Mr Ratan Tata says “I would like to see the British government playing only one role. It controls the banks, and all I seek is the facilitation to provide access to credit on commercial terms. It’s not a bailout,” I believe it is a very reasonable demand , which should be looked into. It is in the interest of British industry and will help in saving precious jobs in the manufacturing sector in UK. It would also help built better Trade and Investment climate between India & UK. .

Posted by Ramakrishnan Velloor on May 11, 2009 at 02:48 PM BST #

David, Do not believe the SriLankan properganda. Please go to the "safety zone" and speak to the people living there and find for yourself who is actually holding them back ? This is our own Tamil Land and people do not want to leave their home. None of the Tamils want any one of us to be "liberated". Before the Srilankan campain to occupy the Tamil Land, we are all living happy in Vanni. What we really want the Sri Lankan military to go back to their home or even get killed in Vanni. This is the view of vast majority of Tamils. The srilankan rulers do not want you to know this truth and that is why they denied access to you to the "safety zone". Even a channel 4 reporter is been deported from srilanka for exposing the true situation.

Posted by Karunan on May 11, 2009 at 03:05 PM BST #

DEAR SIR THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN ABOUT TAMIS IN SRILANKA. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AND FRANCE SECRETARY. WE HAVE NO WORDS TO THAN YOU. TAMILS VOICES ARE HEARD. SO FAR CIVILIAN DEATHS NUNBERS ARE STAGERIG. WE DONT REALLY WANT TO SEE ANY TAMIL INNOCENT TO BE KILLED. PLZ HELP US TO BE LIVE. IF THERE IS A GOD THAT WILL BE YOU TO US. THANK YOU AGAIN UNFORTUNATE TAMIL

Posted by SAM on May 13, 2009 at 05:02 AM BST #

David you are the HERO of Tamils, please do more Thanks.

Posted by Jagathees on May 13, 2009 at 08:59 PM BST #

Dear Mr Miliband Please stop this Genocide of Ceylon. We have had enough of dicremination of Ceylon government. Please let us obtain our own state for future secured place. Please stop killing our innercent Tamils in Ceylon. Regards

Posted by Mrs.S.Gajendra on May 15, 2009 at 04:33 PM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband- The tamils need a just and fair solution. As you will realise in a democracy it is the majority that can decide this. They need to be honest, and should have the political will and maturity to do something in this regard. But unfortunately, the last 60 years have shown us that the sinhala majority does not care and have crafted some legitimate excuses in the form of APRC/ commissions etc. At the end these are all attempts to hoodwink the international committee. It is only in this regard we need help from the international community. If there is no justise to the taamils then I will not be surprised , of another wave of younfg tamils fighting for their rights. The ball is in the Sinhala govmernmts court. We thank you for all the efforts you have taken in the past and hope you will continue your servise to mankind.

Posted by siva on May 20, 2009 at 06:28 PM BST #

A Good Initiative. You are the God now. You have to save tamils. Please take care. Tony, Chennai.

Posted by Tony on May 21, 2009 at 05:12 AM BST #

Dear Milliband, I finally pay my gratitude to you on behalf of all the LTTE supporters around the world for trying your best to save our leaders. Thank you very much.

Posted by K Pathmanathan on May 28, 2009 at 02:54 AM BST #

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