David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

FCO Logo
« Change in Iceland | Main | Shaking Hands with... »
Wednesday 29 April, 2009

Sri Lanka - Access for aid

I repeated at this morning's press conference the need for the fighting to stop. But now en route from the IDP camp to the president I'm thinking too about the basic deal for those who have escaped the conflict zone: the Sri Lankan government want aid but for that they need to offer access to the UN and NGOs.

The need is evident: three and soon to be four camps for 115,000 people (at least) is an overwhelming flood and the only way to meet that is with help, and for help there needs to be transparency and openness (for the media too).

Posted at 16:48 29 April 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[125]

  • Share this with:
Comments:

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 so called rescued ? 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. The Sri Lankan government is killing Tamils including children The world needs to know that.

Posted by Brenly Bernard on April 29, 2009 at 09:11 PM BST #

David, much as I abhor the fighting in Sri Lanka, perhaps you should turn your attention to more pressing matters such as North Korean nuclear ambitions and threats. Maybe swine flu might come into your agenda along the way. Oh... and the Gurkhas... or perhaps they should come under Home Office jurisdiction now?

Posted by Paul E on April 29, 2009 at 09:30 PM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, This is what we screaming since 1983. Singala Government is never going to treat us equally. We have suffered long enough. UN and the international community must accept Tamils’ freedom struggle and let us live in our Homeland-East & North Peacefully.

Posted by Oviya on April 29, 2009 at 10:02 PM BST #

please have look srilankan tamils people . big shame for britain and all western country. please stop the war in srilanka. you have right to stop the war in srilanka. once before you rule srilanka their were 2 governments. tamil government and singala government. if you have conscience have a look at http://www.tamilwin.com/view.php?2aSWnBe0dZj0M0ecQG7N3b499EW4d3g2h3cc2DpY2d436QV2b02ZLu2e

Posted by raviram on April 30, 2009 at 01:09 AM BST #

David, LTTE is a terrorist outfit, all comments made on your blog is done by their supports. Majority of them do NOT live in Sri Lanka and i assure you half of them has probably not been to the North in decades or never! LTTE is a mafia, and many comment to support their terrorist acts and to save their leader. DIaspora is worried that if the war is over, they will loose their refugee status. The same diaspora that funded a terrorist outfit. As we all know, the government is not killing innocent civilians, it's the LTTE which does not. Government is rescuing it's children from the clutches of the LTTE terrorist. Majority of what you hear is false propaganda by the LTTE, which one must admit they are good at.

Posted by Desmond on April 30, 2009 at 03:17 AM BST #

Sir, your allegation that there is no 'transparency' is factually misleading: the ICRC has access to the camps. In the most recent combat operations, the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka has uncovered evidence of UN/NGO complicity with the Tamil Tigers - use of equipment, vehicles, as well as material and other support. As far as our own BBC complicity with the Tamil Tigers is concerned, it is well-documented and more than evident. To this background, it is not permissible on security grounds to allow wholesale access to NGOs/UN before the civilians are vetted to identify friend, innocent from foe/Tamil Tiger combatant or leaders.

Posted by Dinu Senadheera on April 30, 2009 at 07:07 AM BST #

These are not Aid camps these are concentration camps.These Tamils are not being allowed to leave the camps and being held as prisoners against there will.Sri Lanka has history of highest involuntary disapperences rates in the World and there have been reports of rape of Tamil women. http://www.hrw.org/en/video/2008/03/06/sri-lankas-ghosts http://www.tamilguardian.com/tg392/p2.pdf http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5721635.ece As the Economist rightly states it is trading danger for Captivity and An unseen humanitarian crisis of terrifying proportions http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13243335

Posted by Rita Wilson on April 30, 2009 at 08:40 AM BST #

Paul E, North Korean is not killing or doing any ethnic cleansing. The Terrist SLG using the heavy weapons is killing nearly 200 Tamil innocent civilians everyday. "Swine flu" should be dealt by Health Ministry. Gurkhas are not being killed by anyone. So please don't deviate the Tamils' problem, which is needed the UN's immediate action against SLG.

Posted by Oviya on April 30, 2009 at 09:01 AM BST #

Dear Mr. Milliband There is no doubt you are the real politicion. You released a nice statement to all the British here before your departure to SriLanka. I'm a fool person, I thought you will do some worthfull talks and give some pressure to the genocidal Srilankan Government. When I had a chance to listen the interview that you were interviewed on the BBC's World at One following your visit to Sri Lanka on 29 April 2009 from a refugee camp in Sri Lanka. Your statements are just blaming the Tamil Tigers only. You and everybody know there is a mass slaughter. Civilians are in very dangerous situation. It is an absolutely wipe out of Tamil community. I believe once you come back here, you will release another nice statement to make all us as fools.My quesion is 1. Don't you have a commonsense? How the people inside the detention camp can tell the truth? They have been told by the Genocidal Sri Lankan Government to blame Tigers in such a manner before your visit.

Posted by S Thiyagarajah on April 30, 2009 at 10:07 AM BST #

The IDPs in the so-called concentration camps can't tell truth, if they do, then their lives will be in danger and tortured. Same for Thaya Master & George, who are in the custody of SLA. David, please do some investigation and trust us who have lost close relatives and critically injured relatives who is dying of starvation and lack of Medicine.

Posted by Oviya on April 30, 2009 at 10:59 AM BST #

Dear Mr Miliband, This is the first time after 30 years that there is a chance to erradicate the scurge of the LTTE in Sri Lanka. The west should help the Sri Lankan government at this stage. Once the war is over then the more important aspect of nation building & reconciliation needs to be addressed. I would suggest you to read the following The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam: Essential Pointsby John C. Thompson Mackenzie Institute, The Mackenzie Institute http://www.island.lk/2009/04/26/features1.html PO Box 338, Adelaide Station Toronto, Ontario M5C-2J4 Tel: 416-686-4063. mackenzieinstitute@bellnet.ca www.mackenzieinstitute.com thank you yours sincerely M Perera, Glasgow

Posted by m perera on April 30, 2009 at 11:11 AM BST #

Dear David, Two articles you need to read http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=29218 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8026639.stm Please justify how the Tamils would be traeted by Mr Rajapaksa.

Posted by shanthy on April 30, 2009 at 12:17 PM BST #

Dear David Miliband, While you are in Srilanka please explain to the Singhala leaders that we are in 21st Century and let the Thamils have their freedom. Freedom to move, freedom to live in their own houses, freedom of speech, freedom to determine their political destination, freedom to rule by themself , freedom to become independent. Thanks.. Dr Nada Manivannan

Posted by Nadarajah Manivannan on April 30, 2009 at 12:22 PM BST #

Dear David, Heartfelt Thank you for your effort to alleviate the sufferings of helpless Tamils in Srilanka. Your sincere approach and effectiveness of your work is very much appreciated by the diaspora. I am sure you will continue your endeavor to find out the truth and act accordingly to deliver Justice to Tamils. Srilankan Government is intent on continuing their "Genocidal war" on Tamils and would like to hide from outside world. Once again I would like to Thank you for your contribution.

Posted by V.Vigneswaran on April 30, 2009 at 02:03 PM BST #

Mr.Thiyagarajah, please do not post unfair comments about our Foreign Secretary's efforts without finding out the whole truth. I hope you will understand my concerns after reading this:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6197466.ece

Posted by V.Vigneswaran on April 30, 2009 at 02:21 PM BST #

Desmond, I understand that you are from the majority sinhala community, Please understand that all tamil people in srilanka would do bigger protests, and raise their true voice against the majority sinhala government and the army if you can really assure their lives and possessions. The whole world knew what had happened to the Editor Lasantha eventhough he is from your community. If you open your mouth to find a truth in srilanka, you no longer have life. Every tamil people lives in fear in Srilanka, Do you say NO? If so you don't want to know the truth, my dear friend. You are an extreme supporter of the government. Dear David, The tigers are not terrorist, they arise from tamil community, they didn't come from terrorism but the discrimination by the majority sinhala governments. Please bring a political solution with the help of briton, UN, US and other foreign countries which they really do have interest in relsolving this prolonged ethnic problem.

Posted by Jeyanthy Srinivasan on April 30, 2009 at 03:47 PM BST #

Mr. Miliband, Thank you for visiting Sri Lanka and looking into the plight of the Tamil civilians. The Sri Lankan government has a history of lies, deceipt and corruption. For them to be your guide as you visit these camps, I can only imagine what kind of trickery they are using to make themselves look like the Tamils' saviors. Remember, this is the same government that is indiscriminantly killing about 300 Tamils a day and not allowing any media access. Some of the other camps have deplorable conditions and they're "arresting" a lot of the people from these camps and taking them away with no independent monitors. I can't imagine what's going to happen to these people. Please put more pressure on the government to stop the killings and to allow international media in. All of these IDPs are in the hands of their killers. Among the IC, you are our only hope!

Posted by Narmatha on April 30, 2009 at 04:38 PM BST #

Dear David Miliband Please look at the guidelines on aid to Sri Lanka given in the report by International Crisis released on 16 April 2009.

Posted by p.selvaratnam on April 30, 2009 at 05:46 PM BST #

Tamils have been oppressed economically: i.scarcely any investment for economic development of Northeast in the last six decades ii.foreign aid for natural disasters that affect both Tamils and Sinhalese, eg tsunami, has not been fairly shared iii.appropriating the foreign aid that comes to natural disaster that affects Tamils only, eg. foreign aid meant for 1978 cyclone in the East was sent to the South iv.1964 Jaffna cyclone was not even responded to by the Sri Lankan government.

Posted by p.selvaratnam on April 30, 2009 at 05:56 PM BST #

thanks for being to lanka....hope our nation wil be heading towards a time where all lankans can keep smiling in peace!

Posted by k.balasubramaniam on April 30, 2009 at 06:00 PM BST #

Dear Mr.David, as u can see most of the comments in this list are made by same people. These are true LTTE terrorists supporters mainly live in European countries. Specially in UK. The difference between the innocent Tamils in sri lanka and these people is, they get the chance from this war, seeking asylum and other benefits. The end of the war means end of this everything. In my opinion, among whole Tamil population its only Tamil innocent civilians in that human shield hate these terrorists. These terrorists’ supporters protesting in front of the parliament, are really selfish and they fights for not for the innocent Tamils but for their own luxury lives.

Posted by Michel Nora on April 30, 2009 at 07:07 PM BST #

Dear Mr.David, as u can see most of the comments in this list are made by same people. These are true LTTE terrorists supporters mainly live in European countries. Specially in UK. The difference between the innocent Tamils in sri lanka and these people is, they get the chance from this war, seeking asylum and other benefits. The end of the war means end of this everything. In my opinion, among whole Tamil population its only Tamil innocent civilians in that human shield hate these terrorists. These terrorists’ supporters protesting in front of the parliament, are really selfish and they fights for not for the innocent Tamils but for their own luxury lives.

Posted by Michel Nora on April 30, 2009 at 07:16 PM BST #

Why have you permitted the French to insinuate themselves into this situation? I am not aware of any French links to Sri Lanka. Can we assume that you will be accompanying Mr Kouchner on his travels to Francophone Africa and Lebanon?

Posted by Viscount Crouchback on April 30, 2009 at 07:20 PM BST #

Sri Lanka wants sensible peace building strategies to heal the decade long wounds in minority psyche. But with the ultra-nationalist elements like JHU entering and consolidating in to the mainstream politics to further incite hatred, the future prospect for peace and harmony is very grim. The government should soon settle the displaced people in their lands. Otherwise, they will face unprecedented suffering and abuses. The long term impact of IDP’s is always a major problem nationally and internationally.

Posted by Chamila Liyanage on May 01, 2009 at 01:31 AM BST #

Why War without witness?? , Because Government of Sri Lanka Sinhala is doing Genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against innocent Tamil people and want to hide true to world. Sri Lankan Government is Made War Without witness???? NOOOO Thousands of witness of Genocide against innocent Tamil people. Have aLook the Link , then realise http://www.warwithoutwitness.com/

Posted by Selviya David on May 01, 2009 at 04:02 AM BST #

Hello David; Onbehalf of tens of thousands of tamil Canadians , I thank you for your great effort.Accept our hearty gratitiudes. Thanks Sugun

Posted by sugun on May 01, 2009 at 06:14 AM BST #

an outfit who'd send a 12 year old girl as a suicide bomber, an outfit who'd send a pregnant lady as a suicide bomber, an outfit who'd shoot "their own" people trying to flee the confilct zone, A coward holding people just to make sure that His life would be spared.... Do u call these the qualities of a real "freedom fighting" unit? It would be an utter disgrace to the "freedom fighting" units that existed in the history of the world. And all these people who seem to know "everything" that's going on in Sri Lanka! when was the last time you visited here?

Posted by Damitha on May 01, 2009 at 07:41 AM BST #

Once again many thanks for efforts in attempting to stop this war. Unfortunately, Sri Lankan government is not receptive to any requests. It certainly is a very good indication of what Tamils had to put up with for the past 60 years and unfortunately, this is going to continue. Furthermore, Sri Lanka is abusing the democratic concept by using majority Singhalese vote as a mandate to commit genocide against a minority Tamil community. It is about time Sri Lankan is named and shamed as a Terrorist state. UK should push to get charges brought against Sri Lanka for genocide and war crimes

Posted by Dan on May 01, 2009 at 10:14 AM BST #

Michel Nora, well.. well if we talk about your cruelty/discrimination towards Tamils and the systematic ethnic Cleansing of Tamils, we would be labelled as LTTE supporters. Ah.. we are not scarred of you as we live in a free world and we have rights to comment. If you are a sensible-normal person, just post a comment and just go. Don’t attack others personally. We had a very good/peaceful life in our Homeland and your terrorist Governments/Thugs destroyed it. Whether you admit or not, now the international community knows about it and we hope to get a justice soon regardless whether you like it or not.

Posted by Oviya on May 01, 2009 at 03:08 PM BST #

ThankU for visiting SL & taking the opportunity to talk to the innocent victims. ThankU for your frank debate with the SL gov, & all your the efforts. Your article, 'Victory without humanity can be no triumph' has my absolute salute to you. Leakages of the UN satellite images, proves the continuing lies to the world by the SL gov & violations of international humanitarian law. The UN, EU and US should not seek a demand or plea with the gov of Sri Lanka as they have simply humiliated your efforts; we BEG the WORLD to take the necessary action to stop the killings. International communities fear for the IDPs and further suffering needs to be stopped at once, not tomorrow but TODAY. The requirement of free Media access and monitoring of the aid & screening process should be forced by International communities for breaching humanitarian law. World aid money should reach the people affected and we need access to the truth. Thank you very much.

Posted by Aj_R on May 01, 2009 at 04:29 PM BST #

This battle is Sri Lanka's Stalingrad. Everything is at stake for both sides and the people are all fired up. Now imagine the spectre of Churchill phoning up Hitler or Stalin pick your own parallel and saying now.. now.. boys you'd better call it off immediately or 200,000 people are going to die before the winter is out. I'm sure it never happened. Perhaps the opposite might have though..

Posted by dingiri on May 01, 2009 at 04:45 PM BST #

Dear Sir, it is sad you did not hear the argument of LTTE nevertheless you have visited, you have seen, you have heard and you have said, now it is time for next step move forward with UN Security Council resolution and followed by actions. India tried, Norway tried it is time for UN to involved and protect the innocent and create permanent peace in Sri Lanka with a political solution. NATO troops should involve and stop the war and protect all civilians and stay there until permanent political solution reached and peace achieved. Be brave and create a better world and make a history.

Posted by Mylvaganam on May 01, 2009 at 06:23 PM BST #

Thank you very much for visiting Srilanka in this difficult time. I am requesting you to act as quick as possible. My aunt age 68 and my nephew stuck in a bunker in north srilanka, they choose to live in LTTE control area and suffering from government heavy weaponery attack. My uncle was ex government officer in Thriyai {Eastern Srilanka About 20 years ago many of my relatives including my Uncle openley shot and killed in there, after that my nephew joint in Ltte and got killed in beging of this year.

Posted by n.rupan on May 02, 2009 at 12:18 AM BST #

Mr Miliband I am a Sri Lankan from a minority community. I do not agree with most of the comments made by people from Tamil community. There is no such genocide in Sri Lanka or by the Sri Lankan government against tamil people. This war is purely against the terrorism. In the south, Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people live in harmony with equal rights. Think why it is only Tamil people live in the north without any other communities. Let the government finish on what they have started. Long term this will help all other countries with influx of refugees/freedom fighters from north part of Sri Lanka. What other nations can do at this moment is to send donations for the displaced people but not asking the government to stop this menace going on for more than 20 years. What all Sri Lankan want is to live peacefully, without fear that's why we all support the government.

Posted by Shanaz Farook on May 02, 2009 at 12:30 AM BST #

Mr Miliband It is disappointing to read your comments you made in the parliament regarding sri lanka. In 1983 Sri lanka asked British government's help to stop the violence by LTTE in the country. Then British government refuse to intervene stating it's "an internal issue." Why this change of heart now? Is that because of imminent defeat of Prabhakaran? I am peace loving Sri Lankan. I never backed any terrorist organization. I think you already made your mind before entering into Sri Lanka. Don't forget that Sri Lankan government fighting a war against a terrorist group which killed an Indian priminister and a Sri lankan President. If you change your mind and stop helping LTTE you will target by them too.

Posted by sumedha on May 02, 2009 at 01:04 AM BST #

Please note carefully all the recommendations to the donors made by International Crisis Group in its report, Development Assistance and Conflict in Sri Lanka: Lessons from the Eastern Province on 16 April 2009. Donors cannot make any more mistakes because their conflict-insensitive aid has been exacerbating the conflict in the last thirty years.

Posted by p.selvaratnam on May 03, 2009 at 09:14 AM BST #

Tamils Against Genocide youtube.com/profile?user=tamilmahan&view=videos Since there is no independent international media presence in the conflict zone, and international aid organizations have been denied access to the war zone, there is no way to conclusively prove the use of chemical weapons by the GoSL. However, there is evidence that the GoSL used chemical weapons in this attack. Photos released on the Ministry of Defense website show charred bodies with peeling skin and suspicious areas blurred out in some photos consistent with chemical burns.

Posted by Tamils Against Genocide on May 03, 2009 at 09:19 PM BST #

As a moderate Sinhalese, I would agree Tamil need immediate ceasefire, access by aid organization and then a political solution ASAP. We Sinhalese need peace more than Tamils as life here and its burden has become unbearable. Unfortunately many Sinahalese falsely believe in military solution where we have been committing injustice to Tamils since 1956. I also apologize you calling as a "White Tiger" and all other insult from my fellow Sinahalese. It is estimated more than 20000 Sinhalese soldiers have lost their lives and about 20000 have injured, this does not include any Tamils. UN says more than 8000 Tamils civilians have been killed. Please help us bring peace.

Posted by Anonymous on May 03, 2009 at 09:42 PM BST #

Sri Lanka is a democracy, but. If any democracy is not carefully legislated to avoid an uneven distribution of political power with balances such as the separation of powers, then a branch of the system of rule is able to accumulate power in a way that is harmful to democracy itself. The "majority rule" without responsible government it is possible for the rights of a minority to be abused by the "tyranny of the majority". This is what was failed to be implemented in 1948 when Independence was given to Ceylon by British Administration. Let us reverse it and grant justice and dignity to Tamils.

Posted by Anonymous on May 03, 2009 at 10:14 PM BST #

It is time for Sri Lankan government to let media and aid workers full access to so call all refuge camps really it is concentration camps And also give accountable for the number of people in the camps. If any country is giving money to Sri Lankan government, it is going to be used to buy arms and keep on killing. So any country giving aid will be guilty of providing arms to Sri Lankan government to kill the innocent people. Once aid workers have access to all the camps foreign government can start funding aid agencies. STOP THE GENOSIDE

Posted by Keren on May 03, 2009 at 11:45 PM BST #

Thank you Mr.Miliband for your fact fin ding mission to Sri Lanka, and try to show the world about true face of the Sri Lankan regime. The world atlast know some thing that the Sri Lankan regime try to wipe out the entire Tamils from the Sri Lanka on the name of fight against LTTE. I hope you personally might have witnessed t he on going genocide against Tamil and will take immediate actions with the world to stop and teach a lesson to this Sri Lankan “Terrorist” regime

Posted by Sarma on May 04, 2009 at 12:07 AM BST #

Thank you David for considering Tamil in Srilanka. But the sad thing here is IC never talk to real representatives of Tamils, LTTE to know their side story, because of the ban. I understand you put LTTE in terrorist list, but how about Srilankan government who kill thousands of Tamil civilians by using baned wepons such as chemical and cluster bombs? Is IC considering government status is licence to kill minorities without any questions? Can they use food and medicine as wepons to oppress minorities, Tamils?? what is the protection for minorities from government like Srilanka? If Sinhala people stuck between fight the Srilankan government behave like this??? only solution for Tamils is separate country, Tamils had enough with racist Srilankan Sinhala governments since 1948, please help Tamils to live with peace and freedom in their own land!!!

Posted by Nathan Siva on May 04, 2009 at 12:27 AM BST #

Thank you David for considering Tamil in Srilanka. But the sad thing here is IC never talk to real representatives of Tamils, LTTE to know their side story, because of the ban. I understand you put LTTE in terrorist list, but how about Srilankan government who kill thousands of Tamil civilians by using baned wepons such as chemical and cluster bombs? Is IC considering government status is licence to kill minorities without any questions? Can they use food and medicine as wepons to oppress minorities, Tamils?? what is the protection for minorities from government like Srilanka? If Sinhala people stuck between fight the Srilankan government behave like this??? only solution for Tamils is separate country, Tamils had enough with racist Srilankan Sinhala governments since 1948, please help Tamils to live with peace and freedom in their own land!!!

Posted by Nathan Siva on May 04, 2009 at 12:29 AM BST #

Let the Tamils to be free into a separate state. Why?....30 years of war never coming into an end. After the recent battle shows the Sri Lankan government's mindset to wipe out all the minority Tamils. Too many innocent people got killed almost 100,000.

Posted by John Warren on May 04, 2009 at 01:07 AM BST #

Dear Damitha, The state sponsored killing of Tamil civilians started when the British left Sri Lanka. Why did you people kill Tamils in 56 ha??? Are you going to blame again LTTE and terrorism? Is there any reason other than eradicate Tamils. I don't blame you. Even most of your politicians don't know the truth and real history of Sri Lanka or pretend to be so. They survive on communal hatred. I lived 30 yrs of painful life in Sri Lanka. I still love my home town, but It is scary to be there. My last visit to Jaffna was in January, last year. I know very well what is going on in North-East part of Sri Lanka.

Posted by kamraj on May 04, 2009 at 01:13 AM BST #

Dear Damitha, I think, if your sister is raped, your child is shot dead when he is playing and your innocent husband is tortured and brutally killed, then only you people will realize the pain we live with. Sorry explain this so inhuman way,but this is the only way I can portrait my feeling. I don’t wish this to any body in the world.

Posted by kamraj on May 04, 2009 at 01:17 AM BST #

Dear Damitha, Two of my cousins were shot dead by SLA in two different occasions. They were only 9 and 12 years old, empty handed. Both were shot at head. Two of my classmates shot dead when we were on a piece full demonstration in the University. My neighbor, a young father committed suicide after he was released from Boosa-torture camp. I remember the only time we were relaxed without the fear of harassment and death was in early 90's when SLA was kept in barracks by LTTE.

Posted by kamraj on May 04, 2009 at 01:19 AM BST #

Mr. Miliband, I appreciate your comments about Sri Lanka. Please keep giving the world the true fact about Sri Lanka and save the Tamils from being massacred. Also, help the Tamils make a separate government from the chauvinistic Sinhala beggary government!

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

All I can say is no matter what the West has an absolute obligation to intervene directly with both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE in order to protect these innocent Tamil civilians and to terminate the massive war crimes being carried out to civilians by the Government of Sri Lanka. International community must bring as much diplomatic, political and economic pressure to bear as possible to genuinely support the peace process. Please do not just rely on the evidence from concentration camps; Refugees at concentration camps do not want to risk their life by saying the truth!

Posted by Santhi on May 04, 2009 at 05:11 AM BST #

We, Tamils have been suffered lots by Singhala arrogant, do you know? In 2002 both nations signed for the ceasefire. Tamils didn’t get any political solution during these peace talk period.Singhala Government used this period to buy arms and weapons and week Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam. Many Tamil civilians and students were killed and abducted in North and East by singhala arrogant. How many times Deep Penetration Unit DPU entered into Vanni and killed so many school students, member of Tamil parliament and civilians. So everybody knows clearly it is genocide. Tamil faced many peace processes. We did not get anything. LTTE liberation tiger of Tamil Eelam target is only Srilankan army but SL kills civilians. I have to tell little about LTTE which is very discipline and helpful army.

Posted by suja on May 04, 2009 at 10:48 AM BST #

Mr. Millband The conflict in Sri Lanka is a very complex thing which you can comment without undergoing the real experience of it. The country in general was under heavy threat of these terrorists of the LTTE. The casualties were Sinhalese, Muslims as well as Tamils. Hence it is not an ethnic problem but a terrorist problem. The Sri Lankan Government is quite justifiable in trying to irradicate rerrorism from the country just like you are battling terrirism in your country. Just imajine if others ask you not to prosecute the terriorists will you agree. I think you are not conversant with the exact ground situation of Sri lanks. It is a terrorist problem not an ethnic problem. The diaspora in other countries are agitating because they are financing this terrorism. Dont listen to them. Study the problem more and talk rather than just talking about the problem of another country.

Posted by N.Herath on May 04, 2009 at 11:03 AM BST #

All information comming out of UN,IC and continuous prevention of free media presence in save zone indicate the sri lanka and its backers are playing very dirty war. there must be investigation in to the crimes being commit-ed. I believe UN and ICRC have more information on whats going on if some one is bother find out the truth. Truth can't b hidden for long, but we know it early we can stop another ruwanda or bosnia. What more evidence is needed? The Government has been using these heavy weapons,airstrike and Blocking food and humanitarian access to the civilian population more than 15 years,ever since government lost control of these areas.The US and uk government must have even more sophiticated satellite photos of war crime by srilanka.The Obama administration and gordon brown must come clean or in turn they would be accused in future of being silent when a humanitarian catastrophe was unfolding.

Posted by kulan siva on May 04, 2009 at 11:43 AM BST #

All I can say is no matter what, the West has an absolute obligation to intervene directly with both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE in order to protect these innocent Tamil civilians and to terminate the massive war crimes being carried out to civilians by the Government of Sri Lanka. International community must bring as much diplomatic, political and economic pressure to bear as possible to genuinely support the peace process. Please do not just rely on the evidence from concentration camps;Refugees at concentration camps do not want to risk thier life by saying the truth!

Posted by Santhi on May 04, 2009 at 11:43 AM BST #

DIR SIR,FIRST WHEN YOU WANT TO HELP THE PEOPLE DON`T GIVE THE MONEY OR ANYTHING DIRECTLY TO THE SL GOV.SL GOV BUY THE WEAPONS AND KILL TAMILS WITH THIS HELP.2nd L.T.T.E BORN IN 1972.BUT SINHALA-TAMIL MATTER STARTTED ABOUT 1950.SINHALESE DON`T ALLOWED US TO LIVE TOGHTER.THÈY DON`T GIVE US OUR BASICAL HUMAN RIGHTS.EACH TAMILS WERE INJURED BY SL GOV,MILITARY.WHEN WE WERE IN SRILANKA. 3rd YOU MUST CONSIDER WHAT WILL TAMILS.

Posted by pamini on May 04, 2009 at 12:01 PM BST #

i am victim genocide in srilanka wen i am littel student 1977 and 1983 my mother allso 1958 at colombo. we vont ouver indipendance .srilanka govemment use the camicale boms and bompospers in vanni plece stop the genocide.ltte is ouver gardien

Posted by neela on May 04, 2009 at 12:08 PM BST #

sir David. we want our tamil eela land ,and we don't live with srilanka goverment because they are killers.any way prabakaren is a our nation leader.

Posted by noel on May 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM BST #

It is the Sri Lankan Government who is committing war crimes and massive human rights violating in side the so called "the concentration camps". Also, continuous bombing and shelling inside the safety zone. Sri Lankan Government has fooled the international community and killing its own Tamil Citizen in the name of wiping out terrorism. International Community is also watching in silence many Tamils being killed. Please do not give any money to Sri Lanka. If you want to help the Tamils, give the money to international aid agencies and they will take care of it. Sri Lankan Government cannot be trusted a bit - their history says it all.

Posted by Sinthu on May 04, 2009 at 02:19 PM BST #

Mr. Miliband, Please help and stop Genocide in Sri Lanka. you must have seen the UN released picture taken from Mar 26 to Apr 26/2009. People are dieing with out food. Sri Lankan Government is not providing food and medicine. All over the world know now genocide happing in Sri Lanka. Every delay is making so many people dieing by Sri Lankan Army. LTTE is not a terrorist they are fighting for Tamils freedom. They fighting for only there freedom. Not fighting with other Countries. Some countries still supporting Sri Lankan Government they don't care about Human because they want to sell the Arms to Sri Lanka and make money.

Posted by Saro on May 04, 2009 at 02:59 PM BST #

Dear Mr. Miliband United Kingdom has the moral rights to settle this problem in Sri Lanka, because they created all this problem by handing over sri lanka to the majority people without enough cconstitutional arrangements to save the minority peoples rights in sri lanka. Now United Kingdom should accept the reality and take the right decision to ensure the minority peoples human rights, justice and rights to self determination by interviene in Sri Lanka by any matter. Thank you. Raphael.j

Posted by RAPHAEL.J on May 04, 2009 at 03:10 PM BST #

Dear Miliband WE tamils are asking from British government only one thing please give our eelam back in our hands which you have handed over to shinhala population when you left the country in 1940s

Posted by Ranjan on May 04, 2009 at 04:11 PM BST #

Mr Milliband, I'm sure, you must have noticed that on your visit to SriLanka, there is war against TAMILSM {minority Tamils} not on Terrorism. Without political solution there will not be any PEACE at all. SRILANKA = War Without Witness.com

Posted by Chayan on May 04, 2009 at 04:16 PM BST #

Dear David, Thank you very much for your efforts to bring an end to the sufferings of innocent Tamil civilians.Srilankan government got no interest other than subjugate the Tamils to its military might and cotinue its abuses against the Tamils without any witness.Please use all your powers to bring an end to the blockage of free access to the media,UN and INGo's to the IDP camps and war zone.We are shocked to hear the people are dying in the war zone because of starvation.Hope you can make Srilanka understand that these inhuman acts are not acceptable.

Posted by Dr.shanmugam sivanesan on May 04, 2009 at 04:47 PM BST #

Thank you Mr. D. Miiiband for visiting Sri Lanka. Please Help us get Tamil Eelam We can not trust the Government they are the terrorist and corrupted

Posted by kosala on May 04, 2009 at 04:48 PM BST #

Sumedha has come from another planet. In 1983 the whole world cried foul at the July 1983 pogrom in which tourists watched Tamils being burnt alive by Sinhalese. In May/June 1983 Minister Cyril Mathew prepared voters' liststhat can be obtained from government departments with Tamil houses and shops marked in them and the thugs had these lists in their hands during the attacks on Tamil houses and shops. May/June 1983 instilled fear in the government departments and in the streets where the employees walked to and from work. Two weeks before the pogrom President Jeyawardene told London Telegraph journalist that if Tamils were starved Sinhalese would be happy. Many politicians and lawyers from different countries appealed to the Sri Lankan government to be fair and just to the Tamils and to remove many clauses from the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Many international human rights groups made appeals at the UN in 1983, before 1983 and after 1983.

Posted by p.selvaratnam on May 04, 2009 at 04:51 PM BST #

David Please send food, water and medicine at once to the people in Vanni till the very congested Vavuniya and Jaffna camps are quickly sorted out humanely: Gareth Evans in Falling down on the Job, http://experts.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/05/01/falling_down_on_the_job ''.... tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped inside a shrinking conflict zone, at risk not only from the fighting but from starvation and lack of water and medical attention. .... And the tragedy is that theyreferring to LTTE Leadership and Colombo Government have now been joined in this abdication by the Security Council itself, notwithstanding the unanimous resolution of the General Assembly, meeting at the heads of government level in 2005, that it should take "timely and decisive" action when "national authorities are failing to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. ...."

Posted by p.selvaratnam on May 04, 2009 at 05:02 PM BST #

Dear Mr. Miliband, Thank you for visiting Sri Lanka. Please continue to put pressure on the racist Sri Lankan government to stop tamil genocide. There are less than 5000 tigers left in the safe zone. It is not logically possible for them to hold civilians hostage. Also, tamil tigers took up arms to fight the 'Nazi' minded sinhala government only after peaceful means fail. Please try to understand this scenario. It is not a terrorism issue in Sri Lanka. It is the problem of democratically elected majority sinhala government's Nazi attitude towards tamils, that is the problem. Tamil tigers are freedom fighters. Close to 80000 tamils have been massacred by the Sri Lankan army in this long conflict. The sinhala governments have proved they cannot accommodate tamils as citizens. It is time for world nations to recognize tamil self determination to save the remaining tamils in Sri Lanka. Separation is the only viable option now.

Posted by Raman on May 04, 2009 at 05:12 PM BST #

please stop the war in srilanka. you have right to stop the war in srilanka. once before you rule srilanka their were 2 governments. tamil government and singala government. Government of Sri Lanka Sinhala government is doing Genocide.

Posted by N.C.Patrick on May 04, 2009 at 06:16 PM BST #

Hon. Miliband, I would like to thank you for sensing the draculas of the Sri Lankan government and retorting to them. If someone says killing of 6500 Tamil people as fighting against terrorism, then there is something fundamentally wrong about the claim. I believe you will teach the Sri Lankan government a lesson. However, one question I have that goes unanswered. Why does a powerful country such as the UK need to bow the Sri Lankan aristocrats?

Posted by Kumaran on May 04, 2009 at 06:55 PM BST #

Thanks to Mr. Miliband to take an effort to help the people in Vanni. Please don't stop what you're doing right now because you are only people can help the innocent tamils. Probably now you know how the Srilankan terrorist government treats other people from your trip to Srilanka and imagine how much we suffer from this government act. That what we want our land to live peacefully and seperate from this singalees. Thanks

Posted by Apriya on May 04, 2009 at 07:13 PM BST #

Please help in stopping this bloody war which is in other term you can describe as a Genocide. I guess almighty God has to give unbelivable power to our genunine leader Mr.V.Prabakaran to kill all bad people in this Earth who are supporting this bloody war in Sri Lanka or elsewhere. From.. Nadarajah

Posted by Nadarajah on May 04, 2009 at 07:15 PM BST #

Mr Milliband, In sri lanka there is genocide since 1948,tigers not terrorists and please don't trust srilanka says.

Posted by inthumathy on May 04, 2009 at 09:28 PM BST #

Dear Milliband , Thank you very much for your visite to SL. you know every thing about innocent Tamil people pb. " We need FREEDOM to live with dignity and self- respect " * PLEASE STOP the killing of innocent civilians NOW . * Exert political and economic pressure on Govt of Sri lanka for an immediate ceasefire . * Exert pressure on Govt of Sri lanka to open the conflict areas to UN , NGOs and international Red Cross . * Recongnize the self-determination of Tamil people to live with dignity and peace . * We need only TAMIL EELAM For Justice , Freedom and Security . Please help for Tamil people. Thank you ,

Posted by P. sivakumar on May 04, 2009 at 09:41 PM BST #

plese save the tamil stop the genocide

Posted by mr.miliband on May 04, 2009 at 10:26 PM BST #

Sri Lanka Army SLA during the weekend has reportedly been engaged in heavy deployment of its troops poised for a major onslaught, reports from Vanni said citing sources close to the LTTE on Sunday. All kinds of heavy weapons, including prohibited ones, are ready for deployment on the 'No Fire Zone', the sources said. Meanwhile, denying the use of heavy weapons Sri Lanka's president and Commander-in-Chief Mahinda Rajapaksa said Saturday that he can't help for the world not believing in him. On Saturday, several artillery shells fired by the SLA on the only remaining makeshift hospital in the 'safety zone' killed at least 64 patients and attendees including a volunteer doctor and wounded 87.

Posted by Anton on May 05, 2009 at 12:27 AM BST #

Bruce Fein, counsel for a US-based Tamil activist group, in a letter sent to Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court ICC Hon. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and made public Monday, urged him to oopen investigations for war crimes, crimes against humanity and war crimes against four high-level officials of the Sri Lanka Government. Fein said he had sent copies of the Model Indictment for Genocide currently being reviewed at the U.S. Department of Justice, to Ocampo's office.

Posted by Anton on May 05, 2009 at 12:28 AM BST #

Mr.Miliband, Thank you to visit srilanka, and to consider about Tamil Genocide by Srilankan Govt. i am requesting u to save my Tamil peopls those who are suffering in Vanni due to Srilankan Govt. Kindly notice that will any government kill the own people, Only it happens in Srilanka. From this we can understand, Srilankan Government never think the Tamils also a citizen of srilanka. So how the Tamils alive in Srilanka. Please help to my people. Thank you very much.

Posted by kannan on May 05, 2009 at 01:54 AM BST #

When U.K left Sri lanka Under Singalees people, from that time they start to kill tamils little by little. So you may have to intervene to settle down the problem in between tamil and singalees. Tamil tigers are not terrorist. they are freedom fighters. The Real Terrorist are Sri Lankan President and Brothers.And the sri lankan government

Posted by Jeyam Kiddinar on May 05, 2009 at 02:24 AM BST #

Dear Hon. David Millbank, if you can find the answers for atleast who set blaze to the Tamils' historical and the second largest collection library in South Asia, you, a well educated dignitary, must be able to understand the mindset of the Sri Lankan governments. The diplomatic approaches of the democratic foreign countries, like British and France, to stop the atrocities of the civilians, were deliberately misled by the terrorist government of Sri Lanka as being supportive to the LTTE. At least at this point, could you imagine the mischievous attitude of the defiant Sri Lankan government, because you and the foreign minister of France have personally experienced the mindset of Sri Lankan government.

Posted by E.Kiruba on May 05, 2009 at 05:12 AM BST #

Mr D Milliband, thanks for your visit to SL, but U.K tamils knew the outcome of your visit even before you left. Your visit up to vavuniya won’t stop tamils genocide and you need a access to so called ‘no fire zone’ because that is the place is tamils killing zone. SL government is ruled by thugs, one typical example is SL army rape a dead body of girl LTTE soldier and put that video clip on ‘you tube’ no one will do such a thing, is it?. When there are 160,000 people in so called' no fire zone' SL will say around 20,000 people because they planned to kill many thousands tamils and tell the world we providing food for all 20,000 people and deliberately making a huge food shortage and kill them by starvation. This is world's most popular method of genocide. If u r really wants to help poor tamils then get free access to 'no fire zone' then u will find out world's biggest graveyards with full of tamils dead bodies all over the places including babies. Please help tamils asap.

Posted by s.logan on May 06, 2009 at 12:28 AM BST #

Hi David, Please see this, just in case you have missed it on Channel Four news. The abuse of females lives on for more than 30 or more years. It is still happening. Why do I know this is the truth, well a daughter of my dad's extended relation has been taken by the army and they refuse to comment on her location. The familly have begged the army to give the daughter back and their reply was, go away or we will take your second daughter aswell. I dont see a end to this war, if SL government can turn a bilnd eye to this 30 years on. http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1529573111?bclid=21788450001&bctid=22200415001 Please do something to help these people. Thanks, A

Posted by A on May 06, 2009 at 12:42 AM BST #

Who is the terrorist. The tamil tigers aren't terrorists they are freedom fighters. The real terrorists are the sri lanka president and his brothers.

Posted by Jenish-Kiddinar on May 06, 2009 at 01:15 AM BST #

For decades the British and other Western governments turned a blind eye when the Tamil diaspora in their midst raised millions of pounds to fund the suicide bombings and atrocities of the LTTE. Where was the outrage when thousands of innocent civilians and political leaders including Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lanka President Premadasa and scores of Tamil leaders were murdered? Did we hear any cry condemning these terrorist acts? This surge of sympathy for terrorists is baffling. Sri Lanka has had to fight its battles without any help. Milliband owes an explanation as to why he is linking Britain with LTTE terrorists while his country is pursuing terrorists on his own turf.

Posted by George on May 06, 2009 at 02:47 AM BST #

Dear Mr.Michel Nora,Do you know all fact of Tamils history.LTTE not from their terms.They carry out 1976 vaddukkoddai refrendom.This tookplaced by Democratic way.All the tamils are together with ltte from 1976 vaddukkoddai refrendom.First you read tamils history.Tamils history not from Mahavamsa Dammatheepa.

Posted by Eelaija Murugathasan on May 06, 2009 at 12:01 PM BST #

Hon.David Miliband-Thank you for your effort to resolve the crisis in SL. SL army is doing a massive build-up to do another attack on the no-fire zone breaking the promised it gave to the world community. There are many people in that area with severe wounds as well as starvation. People are desperate for food and drinking water. Even those people who were already displaced into the government's refugee camps, are fighting for the essentials such as food, clothes, and water. If the government does another forced-evacuation of 100,000 or more civilians with no access to NGOs/UN/Free Media to help them on the other side with the essentials, it will create more chaos & many children will eventually die. Already, due to the inaction of the UN and Super Powers, over 7000 innocents died and we all wonder whether the humanity also died with it! Can you please use your power to stop another imminent carnage by the government forces into Tamil civilian's area?

Posted by Jeeva Sanmugam on May 06, 2009 at 06:10 PM BST #

Thank you for visiting Sri Lanka and the Tamil refugees. I think you are right to say that giving more aid to the GoSL should come with ties or guarantees, otherwise it doesn't seem that they will allow in the UN or the NGOs or the international media. I don't understand why they won't let people in to help the refugees. If they cared about the Tamil people they wouldn't let them all die when they could be saved. Please do more to help the Tamil people and to stop this humanitarian crisis. The refugees and the Tigers are different groups - one shouldn't be punished because of what is believed about the other.

Posted by Meena Param on May 07, 2009 at 11:56 AM BST #

Dear Mr. Miliband, Hope you are in the UK. You may not forget your visit to Sri lanka to inqure about so called "Humanitarian crisis" in Sri Lanka. So, you must have witnessed from your own eyes that such situation doesn't exist here. We all know that the top priority would be protecting the civilians that is what exactly our President is doing coz he was elected from the votes of Sri lankans not from the votes of UK citizens... I am glad that you are so concern about the civilians of Sri lanka... So, civilians are civilians no matter what they are, where they live; in Sri Lanka, UK, Afganistan, or Pakistan... They must be treated equally because they all are human beings... So Mr Miliband, If you are concern about the civilians why don't you go ahead and say "No more harm to civilians in Afganistan and Pakistan" We all are waiting for the day of the above statement voiced from your tongue. Thank you From one of Sri Lankan Citizen who loves mother Lanka

Posted by Sri lankan on May 07, 2009 at 01:25 PM BST #

It is pointless talking about a ceasefire and civilians being killed: No one including you says anything when LTTE suicide bombers specifically target innocent civilians not unintentionaly killing civilians as a result of the battle. Explain this to the families of the 60 odd civilians who not so long ago were blown up by an LTTE suicide bomber, in a bus near where I live and some 400mt from the Arthur C Clerk centre.

Posted by Harendra Mohan on May 07, 2009 at 04:23 PM BST #

Why you are unable to put real preasure on Sri LANKA.You keep on providing necessary support to S/L to kill Tamils now i can see including Britten whole IC giving green light to distroy Tamils. Why what we have done to you and IC

Posted by Kuhan on May 07, 2009 at 04:29 PM BST #

When Govt of Sri Lanka took steps and planed to kill and destroy the tamils properties few months ago all kept quite. 1.They first asked to move all the INGO's out 2.Media ban 3.Blocking Aid 4.Then started bombing and scaring the people to beg for their life. Today we see a diffrent picture about Sri Lanka saying they were rescuded from tigers.These people have been living with the tigers for over 25 years with freedom, but now inside the camps. SIR, PLS TAKE STEPS TO TAKE OVER ALL THE CAMPS UNDER THE UN CONTOLL NOW.

Posted by jacob on May 08, 2009 at 09:49 AM BST #

Dear David Miliband, I thank you for your great effort.

Posted by gowthamy Shanmugam on May 08, 2009 at 09:51 AM BST #

Dear David, You have the first hand knowledge about how the srilankan govt deals with tamils. They kill and torture the tamils mercilessly in the name of terrorrism. even at this juncture, so called terrorrists have not resorted to targetting civilians elsewhere in the country. this is a solid proof of LTTE nature and resolve for their struggle for tamils freedom. that is why the tamils are in solidarity with them. Of course there are few tamils who are against them, thats the game for them to receive benefits from the govt of sri lanka. 90 of tamil will support the tamils self administration and rule if not a separate country. if the mass killings were to go on, separate state is the only solution. that is what all the moderate tamils are saying. not the tigers. all what tamils need is a rght to self determination without the interference of the central government. i wish your efforts will go a long way in realising a permanent peace in sri lanka.

Posted by ahilan on May 08, 2009 at 09:51 AM BST #

Dear Mr D Milliband Thank you for your visit for srilanka and your acction to stop tamil people genocide. Thank you M Saravanamuthu

Posted by mano on May 08, 2009 at 09:51 AM BST #

Dear Mr.David, Thank you for ur visit is Vavuniya Camp. do you think they are LTTE? we want live in our land like others in world. please safe these people. my parents also in that camp. i am crying everyday.

Posted by Nantharupan on May 08, 2009 at 09:55 AM BST #

Dear David Miliband, I thank you for your great effort.

Posted by gowthamy on May 08, 2009 at 09:56 AM BST #

Hon.David Miliband, please have look srilankan tamils people . big shame for britain and all western country. please stop the war in srilanka. you have right to stop the war in srilank. From Canada

Posted by Baskaranan on May 08, 2009 at 09:57 AM BST #

Dear sir Stop genocide of tamils immediately.We want freedom.We can't live with singalese.We want our ownland.That is tamileelam.LTTE is one and only representative for tamils.They are freedom fighters.You must work for remove the LTTES name from terrorist list.Our people want immediate humanitarian helps.All the humaniterian organinations should work freely in vanni region.All the media should allow to vanni region.

Posted by Vijitha Jeyaseelan on May 08, 2009 at 09:58 AM BST #

Thank you for your concern. Do something and without delay to send a releif convoy to Wanni and see that the NGO missions resettle in the war zone.

Posted by A.M. Pillai on May 08, 2009 at 10:17 AM BST #

Sir! more than 30 years we are living forigen countries every one is living with more vories.We want to go our owne land.Singlish government they don"t give us freedam.We don"t live with them.Please you and your government help our people and get freedam for us. Thank you

Posted by Sinnadurai Savundara on May 08, 2009 at 10:57 AM BST #

DEAR HON. MR DAVID MILLIBAND.PLEASE WE NEED IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASEFIRE IN SRI LANKA.

Posted by s.ramasunder on May 08, 2009 at 11:32 AM BST #

The Tamil diaspora around the world have proved that they are behind LTTE. They are not forced or threatened to mobilized to convey this message to the International community. Tamils have left Srilanka because of the persecution by the Srilankan government. Most of the western government have given protection to Tamils because they have been persecuted by the Srilankan government.

Posted by Kanthan on May 08, 2009 at 02:08 PM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, Thank you for visiting Srilanka and also listening to our tamil people. This has been going for over 60 years, we have been trying ton live with the sinhalese but that isnt working. Acording to one of the people who commented they say that all the tamil, sinhala and muslim who live in the south are united however whats happening to those young tamil teenagers who are getting abduted?? We need the answer ASAP . The tamil tigers are freedom fighters and they are not a terrorist group. They save people and will always will be there for them.

Posted by Akilaa Logeswaran on May 08, 2009 at 02:36 PM BST #

At last Now the International community Understood that Sri Lankan Politician decided to do ethnic cleansing in correct word-Genocide -of tamils. If the IC ,inclusive British authority to proof that they are doing fair , they have to send aids to affected people-tamils directly. Not to Sri lankan gov. As you have previous experience from Tzunami relieve only gone to President's Province and Thanks you all for your efforts on studying and speak against sinhala-Budhist extremism.

Posted by Linjgan Logeswaran on May 08, 2009 at 02:59 PM BST #

please help the civils without delay in vanni area drop foods, medicin water please sir

Posted by arun thurairajah on May 08, 2009 at 09:02 PM BST #

Dear Mr David Miliband fist off all i would like to say a thank you for visiting Srilanka and helping the tamils.We are trying out best to live with the sinhalese but this is not working.The only thing that tamils want is a permanent and immediate ceasefire.Also we would england to send aids.I would also like to mension about the tamil tigers who are classified as terriost.Well they are our freedom fighters they will always stand by our side and never let us down.Please dont let us down.Thank you for your support

Posted by Kayalvili Srirangan on May 08, 2009 at 10:24 PM BST #

They travelled this far on their journey to eliminate the tamil race on the island with all the helps from the International community. They get help as a govt but celebrate their success as 'Sinhalese'. Why is this and How is this tolerated by the rest of the world? How can they still be a member in the Commonwealth countries Can Britain alocate a piece of land in any part of the world for the world refugee Tamils to live as a country? This Tamil era should not be spoiled. LTTE should realise the fact they are too late to flag their victory with the use of weapons. Therefore ,they have to evolve in the politics and to get IC and the Britain to protect Tamil sovereignty in a separate land piece otherwise. Tamil sovereignty should not die.

Posted by PGN on May 08, 2009 at 11:12 PM BST #

Dear Sir Mr.Milliband, We need an immediate ceasefire , take action please. Thank You

Posted by Nirangini on May 08, 2009 at 11:16 PM BST #

Dear Sir, We are loosing lots of lives every secondes.Please,we hope that our British Gouvernment will take an action staright away,please request your gouvernment.

Posted by Mr.R.Kulan on May 08, 2009 at 11:23 PM BST #

When you read all these comments, it sounds like that tamil people and their so called 'freedom fighters' are so innocent and harrased by the Sri Lankan government and it's people. Don't think that the world has forgotten about the monstrous activities of the LTTE, done inside and outside of the country.

Posted by Shanaz Farook on May 08, 2009 at 11:58 PM BST #

The War in Sri Lanka is a great opportunity for tamils in Sri Lanka who do not have enough qualifications to migrate to western country as a skills migrant to migrate as a refugee. It is evident by the numbers of tamils settled in western world around 1983s. Then what they do is fund this inhuman war by sending money to LTTE terrorist group. Mr Milliband if you can stop these funds comming to LTTE it will shorten the suffering of innocent Tamil people in Northern Sri lanka.

Posted by vajira on May 09, 2009 at 09:52 AM BST #

Dear Mr. D. Milliband we need immediate and permanent ceasfire in Sri Lanka. Please help.

Posted by Thakshan on May 09, 2009 at 03:06 PM BST #

Dear Mr. D. Milliband we need immediate and permanent ceasfire in Sri Lanka. Please help.

Posted by Thakshan on May 09, 2009 at 03:20 PM BST #

Dear David, Thanks for all your effort to help Tamils in Sri Lanka. We are very grateful that you have visited Sri Lanka and seen the IDP camps where Tamils are being herded. As you said in your interview you could not see the full picture of camps within that 3-4hours there. We Tamils living outside of these concentration camps hearing really bad news from our people, being raped, starved and tortured. Thus, there is a very urgent need to stop Sri Lanka government keep killing Tamils in these camps and also in the fake “No Fire Zone”in Vanni. In addition, need to highlight the sufferings of Tamils live elsewhere in Sri Lanka. Tamils in Northern Province are under military control for the last twelve years or so. Even the Tamils who managed to come to Colombo are being threatened to death by those white van abductions and unnecessary searches by armed forces at their residences. Please help to bring an end to the killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka by Sri Lankan government.

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

Please have the courage to stand up against bullies. The following link may help you to identify who they are. http://my.telegraph.co.uk/chandradavid/blog/2009/05/04/a_paradise_turned_into_kingdom_of_vultures

Posted by Piraisudi. Sundaramoorthy on May 10, 2009 at 01:55 PM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, Thank you for visiting Sri Lanka to highlight the current situation. I think that it is of the upmost importance that while in the interim camps, the refugees are proected from the sri lankan armed forces and paramilitary groups. This can only be achieved by the UN's and the Red Cross' presence in the camps. There should also be monitoring of the screening process on leaving the conflict zone to ensure that the refugees are safe. Currently, there is no real safe area for the refugees, the camps need to be open to the aid agenices, the UN and the international press to ensure safety. There should also be access to the conflict zone for the independant press. Please ensure that these key issues are included in your report to the UN. Thank you again

Posted by Mrs L Jeyakumar on May 10, 2009 at 02:22 PM BST #

I thank you for the recent visit to Srilanka to help Tamils. The vast majority of Tamils in Vanni are with no food, no medicine for the past few months. The Srilanka Government is trying to wipe out the Tamil population by aerial bombing and not supplying food and medicine to Vanni area. Please exert pressure on Srilanka Government to stop the war, allows the UN to provide food and medicine.

Posted by T.Sritharan on May 10, 2009 at 09:06 PM BST #

Hi David, We the British Tamils welcome your efforts to stop the genoside in the island. I can tell you sir none of your Tamil speaking British voters in the region of 300,000 does not support this war and moreover all of us do not want to live with the sinhalese in united Srilanka. We all want independent separate state for Tamils Tamil Eelam. If you believe in democracy, and if you respect 300,000 British Tamil voters, you should take immidiate actions to fullfill people's overwelming mandate to stop this problem by recognising Tamil Eelam.

Posted by Kannan on May 11, 2009 at 02:54 PM BST #

David Miliband your are a present for Tamil to save them. God bless you for your hournest job. Normally when anybody visit Sri Lanka they cheat with all their tricks, cover up and by blamming others. By this kind of fox tricks no one could over come you or change you from the course of Saving the lives of Tamils. You are really great and a brave officer. As Foreign Secretary you are doing a great job in an excellant way. You are working with pure heart. This is why the God send you to Sri Lanka as a missionair for Tamils. God bless you. You will definitly get promotion. Jesus Loves you.

Posted by Joel on May 11, 2009 at 09:40 PM BST #

Dear Mr. Millaband. Do not make things complicate. Do you believe LTTE is a terrorist organization. if answer is no . then you must remove the ban and tell the world what is the definition of terrorist organization. if you think LTTE terrorist organization then you must ask what you should give sri Lankan government to help destroy them. What the Tamils in your country is doing. Majority of them want to stay as refugees and to get more people as refugees by saying in sri Lankan government kill Tamil civilians. And this is a business for them Tell me when is the last time in sri lanka there are communal violence. How many Tamils are live outside north and east. First we must eradicate terrorism. After that we can talk about the issues tamils has in this country because of they are Tamils.

Posted by Amerasinghe on May 12, 2009 at 07:44 AM BST #

Thank you very much to Mr.David Milliband Sir.UK try to focus to world what happening for tamils in srilanka.But other countries listning very very slowly.

Posted by ANKAYATPIRIYAN on May 12, 2009 at 08:27 AM BST #

Dear David, Thanks a million for the effort to bring the matter to the UN. We all owe you one and we wouldn't forgot about you in our History.

Posted by Oviaya on May 12, 2009 at 11:30 AM BST #

OK, here is a course of action for the British, if they are genuinely interested. Send a frigate with sophisticated electronics to determine where artillery is being fired from and where it is landing to monitor the NFZ from the sea. Neither the LTTE nor the SL Navy would be foolish enough to resist. Use UAVs of your own to monitor this small patch of land. Use trained military observers to observe the situation from the ground. British forces and Sri Lankan forces have a good relationship. Exploit this to place military observers from the army in the fighting zone if Sri Lanka is sensitive about media presence. This would encourage both sides to play by the rules. After the dust settles we can have a full international inquiry with evidence from these independant observers.

Posted by dingiri on May 12, 2009 at 12:53 PM BST #

David, As the civilians scared to come to the Terrorist Sri-lankan government's camps Torture Camps, If you/UN have any plans to rescue them and take them to safe country like Tamil Nadu? Then please do a statement, we all Tamils would support it and Make sure it would happen & LTTE rebels would support this. All the civilians should be saved earlist possible. we alreay lost 10000 lives since January.

Posted by Oviya on May 13, 2009 at 12:03 PM BST #

It is difficult to understand why the British government David Miliband is trying to humiliate the Sri Lankan government at every forum, when Sri Lanka was the ONLY non-aligned country which supported Britain during the Falkland war. Is this how you show your gratitude to your old friends?

Posted by selvarajah on May 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM BST #

Dear Foreign Minister, My immidiate family members are currently held against their wish in the camps operated by Srilankan military in Vavuniya. What we are asking is the immidiate release of this people. They do not want any aid from Srilanka. They want their freedom. So please do not give any money to the Srilankan government. They will not give this to the people. They will simply spend this money to buy more weapons to kill more people and make many more homeless.

Posted by Thayanithi on May 15, 2009 at 11:31 PM BST #

60 of all Tamils in Sri Lanka living in Colombo among Sinhalese! But LTTE Diaspora carrying out false propoganda in Europe. Mr. Milliband you should taken into consideration real suffering of Tamil people for last 30 years No education,No foods,No entertainment, But only involvement in dirty war as a child soilder LTTE robbed their foods sent by government now these people have all these in IDP camps.This is a real win for Human rights of Innocent Tamil people in this tiny nation.

Posted by David on June 11, 2009 at 11:04 AM BST #

Post a Comment:
  • HTML Syntax: NOT allowed