How are the Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in Tamil Nadu, India

How are the Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in Tamil Nadu, India – Tamil Nadu News Report “Special Over view” – Translated from Tamil to English

“Vidai Kodu Enkal Naade… Panai mara kaade paravaikal koode marumurai orumurai paarpoomaa” this song from the movie Kannaththil Muththamiddaal expressed our Sri Lankan Tamil refugees soreness and the sadness in their life. Now again war has started in Sri Lanka. People are scared now. And we are having increasing number of Tamil refugees’ everyday. But these refugees who’s already in these refugee camps, they don’t even have their basic needs satisfied till now. Minister Karunanithi has asked Viduthalai Siruththai’s writer/reporter Ravikumar to go and see these refugees in person and give a report to him.

We went to Thiruchchi Vaala Vanthaan Koddai Refugee camp to see these refugees. There are about 320 families (about 1000 people) staying there. Tamil Naadu Government built this refugee camp 16 years ago.

Even the road which takes us to this refugee camp, tells us the story about hows this refugee camp is going to be, small bushes on the way which you only see thorns rather than leaves and then you see small tents/ cottages, men walking around with banian and women with nightie. Even though these people live in this condition, they try and hide their permanent struggles/sadness with their jokes and talks.

First we talked to Subramanian, president of the refugee camp. “We came to this refugee camp on 1990 from Pulal refugee camp, at the start we were struggling badly and the government was giving 200 Rupees per month and 6kg rice per person, however we had to pay 90 Rupees just for Electricity every month per person, because for this whole refugee camp we only have two electricity reading metre. We came here to survive, and the government did what they could and they built 320 houses for us. (House size 10ft*10ft) and they put Asbestos roof on these houses and during sunny season it is very hot. Even though we have so many other problems my heart and mouth not letting me talk about it, because we came here to survive.

I was a farmer and one day Sri Lankan army killed my wife while she was in the farm, I was hiding around for little while there and then came here. We shouldn’t be complaining about anything because this country provided us a place to stay when we arrived here, I registered to go back to Sri Lanka, but then again it looks like war is going to start very soon, so I’m just thinking about what to do. People who staying in this camp doing some sort of job, and they even go and break rocks and sell stones/ rocks and that’s how they sending their kids to school and all our kids are doing really well at school” he said.

Next Vickneswaran was giving us an interview. “We came here in 1990 from Mullaitivu, and we have been staying here since then. We really are struggling with our kids’ education. During Karunanithi’s period, to enter into Medicine and Engineering our Sri Lankan kid’s had their own quota, since last few years they have removed that from their educational system. Now he’s back again, we are expecting he will be bringing that system again.

Our kids’ don’t have enough money to continue their education and most of them work just for pittance and they get married when they were really young and struggling with their life and family. We longing to go back to our home land and work on our own farm; this is what I’m wishing for”.

Puvana Aknes came before us and she said “even though we boil the water that we get from the water pump, calcium and chalk stays on the container and we have complained about this to so many people but nobody took any action. For last sixteen years I’ve been breaking rocks and selling them and that’s how I’ve been earning money and sending my kid’s to school and last January 3rd my 23 years old son was dead, because of kidney failure.

We have lots of people getting sick regularly in this camp and when we go to doctor they say we have kidney problem. Lots of us have died here because of kidney failure. Lots of officers like you came and ask for our complaints and stories, but they didn’t do anything. In this sunny season they give us electricity from 6am to 6pm only, their excuse for that is we are using more electricity than what we should be using”

While we are talking, someone took Jegan in front of us and he had a kidney operation and he had a long big mark on his right hip. There are lots of people in this camp with this sort of mark on their hip.

Next we met Sakthivel “I’m almost 52 years old, I’ve had kidney problem from drinking this water. I went to doctor and took medication, but doctor was saying that I have to change my kidney, but to change my kidney I need lots of money so I’m just having country medication (Ayurvedik-medication) they told me not to do any work.

When Annaluxmi was giving us interview, she said “we don’t have toilet facilities here, we go to those Karuvela bushes, when we got here it was ok because there wasn’t any factories or anything, now there are lots of bakeries and factories so there are people always around. Especially for female, going to the toilet is the biggest problem. If anyone willing to build us some toilets around here that would be the kindest thing to do and that’s our biggest problem here. The houses the government built us, they all are breaking up and falling apart slowly and we have been renovating them every year”.

Refugee camp which was built closer to Thiruchchi Airport, it is much better compare to Vaala Vanthaan Koddai Refugee camp. This refugee camp was built very closer to Thiruchchi city and it was initially built for Burma refugees and now it’s used by Sri Lankan Tamil refuges.

There are about 1500 people (400 families) staying in that refugee camp. These people have unit houses however it’s been noted by police all the time. There are only few toilets for these 400 families, this is their biggest problem.


We went and reported all these to Thiruchchi district premier Ashis Vachani, he listened to us carefully and he said “they may be refugees but still they are human being… you come and see me tomorrow evening” with a suspense and then he took two police officers and visited those two refugee camps.

Next day morning we had a call from premier’s office. We went there and premier told us “It’s true that what you have told me about electricity and the payments, and also its true that they only have 2 electricity reading meters there, so I’ve talked to the electricity department and organised them to fix those problems and at the same time those people who lives there… they have to make sure they not wasting any electricity and they won’t damage or break them, also health related issues and basic needs will be solved.

We will be organising Kaviri River water for these people. I’ve allocated about Rs: 10.6 7 lacks just to bring them good water and that will be done very soon. In Thiruchchi Koddappaadu Refugee camp, I’ve allocated about Rs: 7.98 lacks just for their toilet facilities”. On behalf of Kumutham news reporters we said thanks to him and left.

With a hope “Our brethren won’t turn their face away or our brethren will give us their hand” Tamils are coming to this land, and they have learnt to live under any condition… they have learnt to handle any situation with patient. Even though they have learnt all these… Our only wish is ‘at least their tomorrow may be a good morning for them’. This is what we are longing for them.

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Excuse my English... and also I'm not a professional translator... hahhaha...

Protest - Canberra 29th May 2006

Canberra - Protest 29th May 2006

It was May 29th 2006. All the Tamils all around Australia decided to do something for our people back home and let the world and Australian government know what is really happening to our Tamil people back home and we all care about them. There were about 1500+ Tamil people in front of the parliament house in Canberra. There were about 1000 people from Sydney, 200 people from Melbourne and then the rest from Queensland, Adelaide and Canberra.

I was very disappointed with our people and how many people turned out for the event that day… especially from Melbourne… I know it’s a Monday and most of my friends’ excuse was that they can’t take leave… Well... they take leave when they are sick… and they take leave when they have their personal problems and when they feel too lazy to go to work… but they don’t want to take leave just one day for the people back home… People are dying everyday there and if we don’t voice out who else going to do it? Most of us came here on refugee status because of what happened and what’s going on back home and people forget their past. Most of them don’t want to look back… it is very sad, because we are the victim and our brethren are the victims and most of us still don’t want to do anything about it.

If it’s Sri Lanka or India I can understand why nobody wants to come for the protest, because if you voice your opinion there your head will be chopped off… but here in Australia you have the right for your opinion and speech… then why can’t you scream out and let the world know what’s really going on there… most of our Tamil people are selfish… they want to Study hard, work hard and buy property and have their own selfish life… most of us don’t care about what is going on in the world…

I was talking to my dad other day, and asked him to give me my cousin’s details’ who got killed in Jaffna and also his refugee status was rejected and he was deported from UK few years back… since my parents live in UK, I asked them to get all his details and give it to me so that I can write a letter to British embassy about what they have done to my cousin… but my dad was saying, just leave it and don’t get involve in these things… look at this… I mean… look at the way our people thinking… they just want to stay out of everything… but everyone wants freedom and everyone wants harmony but nobody willing to commit themselves or their kids in the course of freedom or harmony… they just want to sit on their arse and they want someone else to do things for them, and they want someone else to do all the sacrifices for their pleasure and freedom.

I was disappointed with the Australian Medias no media telecasted/wrote/broadcasted (Except the Tamil medias) what happened on the 29th May… there were channel 7 and SBS… I saw them with my own eyes… but they didn’t show anything… I just cannot understand why…???

Dr. Brian Senewiratne

This is an interview given by Dr. Brian Senewiratne, people who don't know him; he's one of the Sinhalese guy whos voicing out for Tamils. This is an interview taken by one of my friend he took this interview for a Tamil website....


1)EU‘s ban how do make impact on the Tamil’s ethnic issue..?
It is silly a thing that you can do
a. What the countries that have gone down this path have done is to opt out of hosting the Peace talks ie they have opted out of the Peace process. So are they advocating a non-peaceful solution? If so, can they please confirm this so that the world will know?
b. Sri Lanka, the country most affected by the LTTE have not banned them but insist that the rest of the world does do. Why? If the LTTE is such a terrorist organisation, why does the GOSL not ban it? It is breath-taking hypocrisy
c. Blocking LTTE funds is hilarious. If Governments think that the only way to send money is through official channels, they are not in the land of reality.
d. OK We block LTTE funds. Who is going to look after the civilians in the Wanni? The GOSL? Well, they haven’t so far! Or do the Tamils don’t looking after? Just let them die – is that the message?
e. What is ban will do is to INCREASE the support for the LTTE across the world. Is that what the International Community wants to do? If so, that’s great.
f. What happened in the UK with the IRA? The IRA were banned
by the British and then de-banned!! Why? Has the UK not learnt anything from their own experience.

2) From your point of view, what is strategy Mahinda play on the current Sri Lanka political situation..?
That’s an easy one. The strategy is to demonise and (try and) weaken the LTTE, get the necessary weapons and go on an all-out assault on the Tamil people to crush them. What about Peace Talks? Its all bluff. It is only a time buying exercise to get the necessary men and weapons. Exactly the sane as what Chandrika did in 1995.

3) At the moment what could be the LTTE’s option to find a solution to the Eelam problem…?
War, I cannot see any other option with the likes of Rajapakse, the JVP and the JHU

4) Even the obvious fact that SL government handling the hard line on the ethnic issue, why the international communities not respond in a proper way towards the Tamil’s problem….?
Frankly the IC could not give a shit as long as they can sell their weapons. That these are being used to kill Tamils is of no concern. Do you seriously think they do not know what these are going to be used on by a country with no external enemies?
All these countries have very well informed embassies in Colombo. You think they do not know? If they don’t, they should be sacked.

5) What sort of role America and it’s allies play s on Sri Lanka and LTTE, do you think its changed a bit now….?
America says that Eelam is ‘not acceptable’ to the US. Who the hell asked them? The US does not have to live with a brutal barbaric regime.
The Americans are having a ball selling old weapons which no other country wants.
I will be responding to that fool of an American Ambassador who has just been replaced, but I have no time right at the moment to do so.
Whatever ‘designs’ the US has on Trinco, they will not get them as long as India is around, and India will be around. Much more likely than US being around.

6) If the War broke out, what could be happening ...Do you think foreign intervention will make any change?
What ‘foreign’ intervention? US? Not a hope in hell. They are struggling with Iraq. You think they will take on another headache?
What about India? Well, they got burnt in 1988, wont get burnt again. That is why when Rajapakse went on his knees to Manmohan Singh he was told to go home and negotiate with the Tigers.
Also, Mr Karunanithi is in the hot seat in Tamil Nadu with a thumping majority. It is his DMK that is keeping Manmohan Singh in Delhi. You think the latter does not know that Karunanithi is an ardent LTTE supporter? He could not give a damn whether LTTE killed Rajiv Gandhi or not.
You know what Mr. K said when the Trinco refugees were recently fleeing into Tamil Nadu? “We will not fold our hands and wait”.

7) What is the India’s position now and future ….
India, i.e. Mnmohan Singh is no fool. He is not Rajiv Gandhi. He is a diplomat with a vast experience. RAW or no RAW, he will not be sucked in, especially since SL has not paid for the fuel – the Indian Oil company is ¾ owned by the Government of India.

8) Do you think Karuna’s factor still a problem on the LTTE’s file…?
You’d better ask the LTTE. I think Karuna has a probat nmlem not with the LTTE but in establishing credibility with the Tamil people. If he is in bed with the GoSL, he’s got a problem.

9) Do you think any other external factors play a hidden roll in ethnic issue…?
Yes many. The main is the US and India, the rest don’t really matter.


10) What is the solution –Federation/ Separation or what?
You ant have Federation.. There are 2 separate Armies under separate command. You either disarm one or divide the country. If you want to disarm the Sri Lankan army, that’s great. But you won’t disarm the LTTE. India tried it and had 1000 jawans in body bags being sent home and were then kicked out.

Speaking SL

After long time I’ve started writing my blog again. I had no internet access and even if I had the access to the internet it was only from work (during my break time). Now I’ve got the internet at my new place, however I have trouble with the connection. So I’ve decided to write this from one of my friends’ place.

16th of May 2006, I went to a discussion forum in University of Melbourne. It was called “Speaking Sri Lanka – conflicts and the history behind the conflict” and it was organized by few Tamils and Sinhalese people.

Two Tamils and two Sinhalese people were giving speech about what they have experienced and what is their understanding about the conflict and the history. Speech was started by Murali Mageswaran and he was saying what he went thru when he was growing up in Lanka. He was mainly talking about what happened during 1983 riots ect. It was good to see for the first time (as far as I know) someone stood up in public and telling them openly what the Tamil people went thru and going thru.

Then Vithura was giving speech about his experience and his understanding of the conflict. If you heard of SPUR, he’s SPUR president’s son. He said that he was born here and has been raised here and he was saying he never thought about who he is until someone asked him to give a speech ‘today’ who’s he as in if he’s Sri Lankan Aussie or Aussie Lankan or Lankan or Aussie… and his parents relocated from Lanka by their own choice. He was saying that every time he went to Sri Lanka he couldn’t travel everywhere freely even though it’s his mother land and Tamil’s complaining that they have been discriminated by Sinhalese government, Injustice felt by all in Lanka not just by Tamils. I had almost 10 questions to ask Vithura, but I was just quietly noting them down with frustration because we were not allowed to ask any questions until the last person finish his speech. At one point I felt sorry for Vithura because how much he knew about our struggle and his understanding of the struggle and conflict and I was also offended by his speech. But if he doesn’t know anything he shouldn’t have been there in the first place to give a public speech about “Speaking Sri Lanka” when he doesn’t even know what is really going on there.

Kumaran was the third person to give the speech and he was mainly talking about 1983 riot and how they have escaped and survived and finally came here. Kumaran wasn’t really talking about what Tamil people going thru but, he was talking about what he has experienced in 1983 and he was anti war.

Then speech was given by Mr.Perera, he was saying that LTTE is a terrorist organization and how they fall under the definition of terrorism. That’s what he was trying to prove and that’s what he was talking for about 10 minutes.
I wanted to ask them 100s of questions, but I had chance for only one question; Vithura was saying that he never asked him the question about his nationality or who he is. I was laughing to myself and thinking I asked myself that question when I was about 7 years old, because of what I/we gone thru… I asked my parents, why Army bombing in Tamils’ area and why all our brethren got to suffer and die. Since then I have realized I’m not Sri Lankan, I’m Tamil…. I have realized I’m Tamil not Sri Lankan when army arrested me for no reason, they just arrested me just because I’m Tamil, they just forced me to sign documents which was not true just because I’m Tamil (I got arrested when I was 17 years old). Since they only had time for one more question… I asked Vithura, how he can say that Injustice felt by all, not just by Tamil? He realized what he said and he apologized for saying that, he agreed that Tamils not treated fairly, I was really surprised to see that. I don’t know if he really knows what the government doing to the Tamils. I told him and the people what happened to me when I was growing up in Lanka…

After we finished that discussion forum I was heading to the train station with few of my mates, we were sort of happy in a way that people get to hear our side of story in public (may be the first time in Australian society) and we were discussing about what is going to happen. One of my friend was saying that if we get Tamil Eelam, LTTE’s going to go thru mental trauma, because of the military fights, I didn’t agree to that first, because if you have the right reason for you doing something, you don’t have to sit down and worry about things. But, my friends were telling me about Vietnam war and what the American and the Vietnam soldiers went thru, but American went there to prove their power and they didn’t have any other reason, but for us, its our right and survival. My friends were arguing that when the war is over, LTTE will have nothing to do and they will go thru mental stress. I didn’t agree, I was telling them during the peace talk time, what they were doing in Vanni or the Tigers controlled area… they were planning and rebuilding our Tamil nation… If you went to Vanni, you know what I’m talking about. So after we get Tamil Eelam we all going to be busy rebuilding our nation rather than sitting down and worrying about how we got the land and how many sacrifices that we had to make. I was thinking instead of we go thru mental trauma we will be so damn proud of what we have achieved and what we have done. Because… Tamils are one of the oldest race in the world and they lived/ living/ live everywhere around the world but Tamils don’t have a land for themselves, so we should be bloody proud of what we have achieved or what we will be achieving.

And my friends were discussing about war against war is not the right thing/ answer. I don’t agree, I asked them one question. If I come and hit you or try to kill you what would you do? My friend was saying that ‘I will defend myself but I will not kill you’. I told him you can’t just block when I try to kill you, you have to hit me at one point, and otherwise you will only become weaker and get killed. I told them because you all grown up hear, until you face it in reality you won’t know what you will do. Our freedom struggle didn’t start just yesterday. We were having our freedom fights in democratic/ ahimsa way until early 70s (about 28 years) and only after early 70s we had to take weapons to protect ourselves.