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British Tamil Forum (BTF) organised the commemoration event on Mullivaikkal massacre at London on 18th of May 2015.

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Six years after the Mullivaikkal massacre, the demand for international inquiry and justice, besides a referendum, for the cause of Eelam continues to stay alive in London as can be seen from the gathering of people, mostly youth, at the candlelight vigil held in remembrance of the victims. Convening in front of the residence of the British Prime Minister David Cameron, Tamils paid respect to the thousands that died at the hands of the Sri Lankan state. Several British MPs joined the Tamil community in remembrance of the Tamil lives and expressed solidarity with the Tamil pursuit towards accountability and a political solution.

BTF North East mobilisation Coordinator Mr Jeyanthan Ramachandran
BTF North East mobilisation Coordinator Mr Jeyanthan Ramachandran

The BTF North East mobilisation Coordinator Mr Jeyanthan Ramachandran who suffered torture himself said to press that they strongly believe in independence as the only means to secure the safety. He had been abducted in April 2013 when he visited Sri Lanka after 4 years from the end of the war. His father who is journalist in Sri Lanka continues to receive threats despite the change of government.

The event, organised by the British Tamils Forum, was also used as a platform to launch a new campaign seeking truth about the disappeared Tamils in Sri Lanka, entitled “Are they alive?” with a hope to find out the fate of the 10,000 former LTTE members who surrendered in 2009 and made to disappear by the Sri Lankan Government.

Mr Mohanavannan Shanmugarajah

“The abductions and torture in Sri Lanka still continues” says Mr Mohanavannan Shanmugarajah who was one of the organisers of this event. He told that he was detained and tortured during his return of Sri Lanka and he is now determined to fight for justice for the Tamil people. He used to work for the LTTE during his school days, however he is now accused of attempting to re-build the LTTE by retuning from the UK. He strongly believes that these are just on going systematic steps of Genocide and instil fear among Tamils not to raise their voices.

Mr Sivalingam Kumanan - BTF Activist
Mr Sivalingam Kumanan – BTF Activist

Mr Sivalingam Kumanan, another leading activist of the BTF told the press that he had been waiting for justice for the brutal assassination of his father, who was the former Deputy Director of Education Jaffna. It is well documented that his father was shot dead in cold blood on 26th December 2006 after having an argument with the EPDP leader Douglas Devenanda and refusing to sing the National Anthem in Singhalese at Schools. Despite the fact that Mr Sivalingam Kumanan and his family are able to identity the gunman, this case is still pending in Sri Lanka due to political pressure and no justice is done to date. It is also of note that Mr Sivalingam Kumanan who attempted pursue the case was tortured and forced to drop the case and leave the Country.

Mr Sivalingam Kumanan, Mr Piriyankan Kathirgamanathan, Mr Senthuran Rasendrem, Mr Mathusan, Mr Kapilan, Dr Inthu, Mr Kumerasan, Mr Senthi and Mr Mohanavannan Shanmugarajahmeeting Rt. Hon. Tony Balier
Mr Sivalingam Kumanan, Mr Piriyankan Kathirgamanathan, Mr Senthuran Rasendrem, Mr Mathusan, Mr Kapilan, Dr Inthu, Mr Kumerasan, Mr Senthi and Mr Mohanavannan Shanmugarajah meeting Rt. Hon. Tony Balier

Mr Sivalingam Kumanan and Mr Piriyankan Kathirgamanathan remain with hope and continue to seek justice in various ways. They also recently met the former British Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Toney Blair with a team of BTF members and brought this to his attention.

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