The Official Website of the Royal Family of Jaffna (Sri Lanka)

Arya Chakravarti Dynasty
H.R.H. Prince Remigius Kanagarajah
of
Jaffna

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY H.R.H. PRINCE REMIGIUS KANAGARAJAH

I would like to convey my deepest concern about the recent escalation of violence and war like situation in Sri Lanka, which I find unacceptable. The devastating Tsunami which already shattered the lives and prospects for thousands of Sri Lankans which was a result of nature however, the ongoing violence perpetrated against the same people in the conflict region is unacceptable because it is executed by mankind and is contrary to the willingness of both parties to resume peace talks unconditionally.

It has come to my attention that many massacres have taken place during the recent violence. I ask the government authorities to protect the innocent people of Sri Lanka for them to live in peace and respect their fundamental rights. It is the duty of the government to safeguard the human rights of the people in the island including people in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country.

I urge to bring a halt to these killings perpetrated trough air strikes in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country. The people of Sri Lanka should be able to live without any fear of war.

I HEREBY STATE THE FOLLOWING HAS TO TAKEN INTO IMMEDIATELY EFFECT:

• The Tamil people of the North and East are facing a humanity crisis due to the present situation. This should be restored by immediate action and medical facilities should be provided to all those who need it.

• A large number of disappearances and murders have taken place during the latest violence on the Island. Therefore a tracing team should be appointed with international assistance to look for the missing people.

• Many NGO'S had to stop the humanitarian assistance due to the recent violence. The NGO'S should be allowed to perform their duties in their respective places.

• Immediate action should be taken to open schools in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country.

• The A-9 highway is the most important infrastructure to the North which should be opened with immediate effect so all people can travel freely without being subjected to long delays and hardship

• The Cease-fire agreement brokered in February 2002 is a valid document and it should be given a trial. Both parties must respect this document. According to the Cease-fire agreement normalcy should be restored in all parts of the island immediately and especially in North and the East.

• I urge both sides to return to the negotiation table in order to improve the situation for the people of Sri Lanka and prevent further lose of innocent lives.

• I hereby state that I will take appropriate measures to address and asses the current situation, gross human rights violation and the legitimate grievances of the Tamil speaking minority to the international community.

May I take this opportunity to call upon all the people of Sri Lanka to support the peace process and to set aside their differences in order to finally create sustainable peaceful conditions for overall development. Many countries and many peoples have been at war with one another, but sooner or later, they have all been able to put aside their petty differences and engage themselves in the pursuit of a meaningful and permanent peace for the good of all.

I do hope and pray that we can overcome this problem.

May God Bless You All

Yours sincerely

Sgnd/. Remigius Kanagarajah of Jaffna