Schools in Vanni under siege

Conditions in Iluppakadavai School in Mannar

Iluppakadavai school is functioning in temporary sheds. This school was formed by combining the students of Adampan and Karunkandal schools who were displaced from Manthai West AGA division due to SLA shelling over the last few months. The sheds in which they are studying have no side walls and no surrounding fence. Due to the heavy rain the students are forced stop studying because the rain comes into the class from the sides. Because of no fence stray dogs and livestock sleep in their class room at night and when the students come to class in the morning they are forced to spend time cleaning their classrooms.

Conditions at Vellankulam Tamil Vidhyalayam in Mannar

The principal of the Vellankulam Tamil Vidhyalayam in Mannar said that his school is functioning under great stress due to severe lack of resources.There are 366 permanent students enrolloed in this school in Grades 1 to 9. A further 336 displaced students are attending this school. The school lacks adequate teacher numbers. There are only 12 permanent teachers working in this school. The rest of the teaching load is undertaken by volunteer teachers. There are no desks and chairs for these students who are forced to learn by sitting on the floor.

No Text Books

Some of the zonal education directors in Vanni have charged that the allocated text books for the year for the schools in their have not been received. The end of term one examinations are about to be held in April and the students are severely disadvantaged in their studies without the text books. Since many of the curriculum for the year are very new, last years text books are of no use.

Particularly affected are the text books for Science, Mathematics, English, Tamil and Religion for the GCE OL class. Also Year 7 text books for Science and Mathematics have not been received. Students and parents are distraught about the lack of text books in a crucial year like the GCE OL year. These students must sit the island wide GCO OL examinations at the end of the year and lack of text books, that too with a new curriculum will severely disadvantage them. The text books are waiting in Vavuniya district and are being blocked by the Sri Lankan military.

TYO members assist at Red Cross Tea Booth on ANZAC Day

On Friday 25 April 2008, TYO members volunteered at the Red Cross Tea Booth and served a hot cuppa and biscuits to the Australia war veterans and visitors. It was our way of saying "We understand your loss and pain". Below is a write up from one of the TYO voluteers.

"Volunteering for the Australian Red Cross on ANZAC Day was really important for me in highlighting the contribution of men and women who fought for what they believed in.

Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia wishes to acknowledge the importance of and reflect upon the upcoming ANZAC Day.

What does Anzac Day mean to Australia?

All Australians recognise the 25th of April as an occasion of national commemoration. From the services held at dawn to the marches by ex-servicemen and women, Australians join hands to honour the memory of those Australians who sacrificed their lives in war.

The members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli on the 25th April 1915, during World War I, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, dragging the campaign over 8 months. After suffering heavy casualties on both sides, the ANZACs evacuated at the end of 1915. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed in that battle and the news of the Gallipoli landing had made a profound impact on Australians at home.

Soon 25th April became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifices of those who died in all military operations in which Australia has been involved with. It is also a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war.

What does ANZAC Day mean to the Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia?

Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka are deprived of the very basic rights that we here may often take for granted. It was the lack of these rights in Sri Lanka that forced our parents and many of us out of that country, and it is the existence of these rights in Australia that allows us to live as proud free citizens in this country.

Today, we see Tamils fighting for justice, with over 20,000 sacrificing their lives for the freedom of the Tamil people in North East Sri Lanka. The Tamil people and the Tamil nation understand the pain felt when sons and daughters of a nation are lost at war.

Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia encourages its members to recognise the sacrifices made by the ANZACs many decades ago, and take the time to attend ANZAC Day ceremonies conducted by local councils or capital cities.

Lest We Forget

TYO Adelaide Tamil New Year BBQ

On 13th Sunday, April, TYO Adelaide organised a BBQ to celebrate Tamil New Year. It was a fun and successful afternoon where we were able to meet and mingle with other youth who were all there to support the cause. With the initial addition of 20 new members through this BBQ, we hope to grow bigger and run successful events in the future

.

TYO Australia held its second camp in Sydney, NSW. Members from Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney spent two days and two nights bunked up, in at times, much too close quarters, to learn, discuss and debate about the current international socio-political influences on the conflict, the ground realities, the overall history of the Tamil struggle, lobbying tactics and the nature of human – monkey relationships

.Experienced activists were invited to facilitate the discussion and brief members on the critical issues affecting the struggle for human rights in Sri Lanka today.A spokesperson for ATRAC (Australian-Tamil Rights Advocacy Council) outlined the scope of Anti-terrorism laws and related practical constraints as it applies to the Tamil community here in Australia.

Vicki, a lawyer and Civil Rights Activist offered an in-depth look into campaign planning strategies. She also provided further insight into the current legal climate and the value of maintaining transparency and openness within organisations, which deal with fundraising and advocacy.

Another speaker covered the situation on the ground in North-East Sri Lanka. Many in the audience appreciated his analysis of the international and internal influences that have shaped the nature of the conflict in recent years, and the clarity with which he untangled the historical complexities.

The second day was devoted to the History of the Tamil People. From the pre-colonial kingdoms to the most recent battlefronts, an experienced activist patiently and knowledgeably fielded questions from the youth through most of the day. But it was not all work and no play for this TYO gang. The campsite included many sporting facilities and nature walks, allowing members to chill out in between some fairly intense and weighty discussion.Though oddly, some members chose to spend their time with a previously unknown, yet rather friendly primate.

Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia strongly condemns the assassination of Tamil Member of Parliament Mr K Sivanesan, who was killed on Thursday 6 March 2008 in a claymore mine attack. He is the latest Tamil MP from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) party to be targeted by Sri Lankan Army-backed paramilitaries.

Wear a black armband on Monday February 4 2008

February 4 2008 is the Sri Lankan Independence Day, but since that day 60 years ago, the Tamils inhabiting that island have only witnessed discrimination, suffering, torture and genocide at the hands of the Sri Lankan government.

Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia encourages you to wear a black armband to work/school/uni on Monday Feb 4 in solidarity with the native Tamils of NorthEast Sri Lanka, and explain to your collegues that whilst many other countries celebrate their independence, the Tamils of the NorthEast are mourning this day as it was day that they were granted their death sentence. They have seen nothing but death, discrimination and destruction over the last 60 yrs.

We hope to be distributing black armbands to many of the Tamil shops within the next few days. Please direct your family/friends to pick one up over the course of this week, or alternatively, make a black armband themselves.

For info and statistics to help you answer questions thrown your way on human rights abuses faced by Tamils and the humanitarian catastrophe visit:
www.tyoaustralia.org
www.blackjuly.info

11/11/07

Ignite 2007 Pictures

Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia Mourns Loss of Tamil Political Leader

A Tamil poem written by Raj, a member of Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia, to commemorate Mr Thamilchelvan

Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia Sells Appams to Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Research

Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia conducted a food sale over two days to raise funds for breast cancer research.

TYO's first Pink Ribbon Big Breakfast was held on Wednesday 24 October 2007 at Wynyard Park, NSW and the second was held on Saturday 27 October 2007 at Strathfield Square, NSW.

Both events attracted a flock of customers allowing TYO to confidently claim their Pink Ribbon Breakfasts to be a great success, with all profits being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

TYO members served cupcakes and pancakes alongside appams - a traditional Tamil dish, to highlight their mixed identity and to make the event interesting by offering the wider Australian community a chance to experience their Tamil culture. Masala tea, falooda and lassi were also available alongside coffee, regular tea and hot chocolate to quench one's thirst.

Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia is an organisation for young Tamil Australians, encouraging its members to be proud and responsible Australians whilst recognising their Tamil identity. With branches in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra, TYO has organised Clean Up Australia Day campaigns and nation wide blood drives for the Australian Red Cross, has members partaking in the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience and the Soup Kitchen for the homeless, and raises funds for both local charities and its international project.

TYO Blood Drive-Update

Pictures from Karpahavalli 2007

Support TYO’s initiative.

Remember the innocence.

Save lives. Give blood.

In December 2005, TYO members from Australia traveled to NorthEast Sri Lanka, where many of us visited and taught English at Sencholai Girl's Home.

On 14 August 2006, Sencholai Girls’ Home was bombed by the Sri Lanka Air Force, killing 61 Tamil school girls and 15 Tamil civilians.

“These were children from surrounding schools in the area...”

- UNICEF, 15 Aug 2006

“Junko Mitano [of UNICEF]… had confirmation children had been killed in Mullaitivu.”

BBC, 14 August 2006

A year on, TYO remembers the lives lost that day, by donating blood

Sat 18 Aug 2007

8.00AM - 3.00PM

Red Cross, 4 George St, Parramatta

Remember the innocent lives lost in our homeland, by saving lives in our current home, Australia.

Thank the International Red Cross for their unbiased work in the North East, by supporting the Australian Red Cross through donating blood.

Please register by emailing us on sydney@tyoaustralia.org

To avoid delays, please call 13 14 95 and make an appointment

Refreshments will be served for donors. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements

IMPORTANT: Restrictions apply! Please read the information sheet or visit the blood donor website

Tamil Australian youth launch website to commemorate Black July
 
The anti-Tamil pogrom of July 1983, remembered by Tamils around the world, was commemorated by Tamil Australian youth this week, through the distribution of black ribbons and the launch of a website - www.blackjuly.info
 
Whilst thanking their home, Australia, for providing a safe abode, priceless education, and equal opportunities, Tamil Australian youth remembered the incident that made their parents homeless and destitute overnight.
 
Tamil Australian youth launched the website www.blackjuly.info at 7:00AM on Wednesday 25 July 2007. Over ten thousand black ribbons and cards were distributed, over the last week, to fellow Australians in major cities around Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra.
 
"The website is dedicated to the innocent Tamil lives lost, not just during Black July, but also in the years before and after it. We hope everyone will help publicise this website amongst their friends - Tamil and non-Tamils alike," said Shantha.
 
"The website is filled with facts, with references and quotes from credible sources. We wanted to show the legitimacy of the Tamils' fight for self-determination," said Ravi.

Pictures of Ribbon Distribution

TYO Melbourne invites you to attend IGNITE, an evening of Trivia, dinner and entertainment. Engage your opononents in a battle of the wits, see performances from upcoming local acts and enjoy food in good company.

To purchase tickets or for more information email us at ignite.tyo@gmail.com

All proceeds will be going to the Australian Medical Aid Foundation and Melbourne Citymission.

Sponsored by

Epidemic of Abductions in Sri Lanka , Australians Caught - SBS Dateline Program 11th July 2007 

An article by a Sinhalese journalist that appeared in the Sunday Leader.

An article by Dr Whitehall, a doctor from Queensland who went to NorthEast Sri Lanka to do voluntary work and teach medicine.

TYO concerned over death threats to Jaffna Students,

TYO CAMP 2007-**Update**

On the 16th to the 18th of February TYO held its first ever National camp at Koloona by the Shoalhaven River…..and it was AWESOME!!!!

TYO members from all over Australia came and had the experience of a lifetime. We came not knowing what to expect, and acquired knowledge and enlightenment and learnt about leadership and values.

We had ignited a passion and a motivation to become more involved in TYO, all of course whilst having a whole lot of FUN!!

At the end of the weekend everyone felt a strong sense of identity and a bond to one another.

No one wanted to leave, because we didn’t just become just friends or members….. we became family….the TYO FAMILY!!

Civil war haunts Sri Lanka again

By Chris Morris - BBC, Sri Lanka

(From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Saturday, 20 January, 2007

at 1130 GMT on BBC Radio 4)

The ceasefire declared in Sri Lanka between the government and the Tamil Tiger rebel movement has disappeared in all but name. International mediation has floundered and fighting has flared up again in the north and east of the island, where the Tigers want to carve out a separate Tamil state.

have always liked Bullers Road. I used to live on a lane about halfway down.

It is one of the few places in Colombo where you can still walk under a thick canopy of old mara and mayflower trees. Tall, dense and dark green, they used to cover most of this part of the city, offering protection from the excessive heat of the midday sun. Only a few trees remain. And even they could not help protect Professor Sivasubramaniam Ravindranath. An agricultural scientist, he is the vice-chancellor of the Eastern University in Sri Lanka's troubled Batticaloa district. But last month he was abducted on Bullers Road in broad daylight. Despite international appeals for information, and for his release, he has not been seen since.

Kidnap common Who took him, and why? Well no-one knows for certain. But the talk around town is that it was members of a breakaway faction of the Tamil Tigers known as the Karuna group - now bitterly and bloodily estranged from their former allies. Instead, they co-operate with the Sri Lankan armed forces, and receive their protection. Professor Ravindranath is not the only victim. In what feels like a climate of increasing political impunity, Tamil businessmen are being kidnapped for ransom.

Rogue elements of the security forces are probably involved.

Bombs and shells In Colombo many people are gloomier - and in some cases more scared - than I have seen them for a long time. And who can blame them?

In the north and east there has been shelling, bombing and civilian deaths. Just north of Batticaloa, tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee, caught in the fighting and ravaged by an epidemic of the Chikungunya virus.

In the Sinhalese south in recent days, bombs on buses, more civilian deaths. When, they ask, will the next attack in Colombo come? What will be the response? And which way will the president turn?

'Political dynasty'

Mahinda Rajapakse was only elected last year. I first came across him more than 15 years ago. I was a young BBC reporter on my first foreign posting - he a member of parliament standing up for the rights of southern civilians, caught between a brutal Maoist uprising and an equally brutal military response.

Now he has risen to the top of the political tree backed by Sinhalese nationalists. He has packed the presidential mansion with family members and favourites. And he is trying to create a political dynasty.

At De Zoysa Circus, a busy road junction next to Colombo's General Hospital, a large billboard of the moustachioed president stares down at passing motorists.

It is not the image which attracts my attention though - it is the slogan which accompanies it: "He is our leader," it proclaims, "he is our president, he is next to King Dutugemenu."

Ethnic fears

Now every Sri Lankan child knows the legend of Dutugemenu, the mighty Sinhalese king who ruled more than 2,000 years ago - the warrior who went into battle on his elephant to conquer and defeat the usurping Tamil king Elara. The symbolism of the story is potent, and relevant.

Where many Sinhalese see an old-fashioned hero who unified the island, many Tamils see the deification of Dutugemenu as proof that the majority community is determined to dominate the whole country.

And politicians are playing to the gallery. "I've never known a government," muttered one Colombo old hand, "which has fallen into ethnic chauvinism so quickly." It does not have to be that way. There are different voices whispering in the presidential ear. Some of them, seduced by the trappings of power, are urging him on to all-out military victory over the Tamil Tigers - a solution often promised, never delivered. Others say no, it is time for a bold political offer to resolve the ethnic conflict once and for all. If the Tigers refuse to compromise on their objective of a separate state - and well they might - their intransige