You are hereClick to Fax campaign - Appeal to Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Leader of the Opposition, Australia
Click to Fax campaign - Appeal to Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Leader of the Opposition, Australia
Hon Malcolm Turnbull
Leader of the Opposition
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Hon Malcolm Turnbull,
By stripping Norway of its peace broker role, the Sri Lankan government has just sent a clear message of closing the door for negotiations and pursuing the genocide of Tamils. This is exactly what the Tamils have been accusing the government of Sri Lanka of, for the past several years. The Tamil community has already lost over 4000 civilians, including over 1000 children this year alone. The carnage is continuing even in spite of the so called holiday truce.
The feeling of horror at the imminent bloodbath is affecting the entire Tamil community. Continued refusal by the Foreign Minister to meet representatives of the Tamil community is also adding a sense of desperation. Australia should change its perception and see the Tamil struggle as a freedom struggle. Laying down of arms has to be by both sides in a war, which effectively is a complete and permanent ceasefire.
Presently, emotions are running riot and some members of our community are taking extreme measures to highlight the plight of the Tamil civilians.
From the 11th of April 5.00 pm three young members of the Australian Tamil community have taken on a hunger strike, without food, water and any medical aid. They have gone more than three days without food OR WATER.
One of them, Sutha Thanabalasingam, has his entire immediate family in the conflict zone. He has not been able to contact them for months and the last time he had heard about them, he had learnt that his father has been seriously wounded by a shell attack and lost a leg.
Many members of Tamil community have begged the fasting youth to reconsider their stance. However, the three youth are refusing to take even water, citing the fact that despite repeated pleas by the Tamils, Australia's inaction is allowing Sri Lankan government to continue the genocide of Tamils and personally, their families are in risk of being killed.
The community is seriously concerned about the health of these young Australians. I understand that a copy of the letter the three youth have addressed to the Prime Minister has been faxed to you. I urge you to do whatever it takes to press the Australian government to prevail on the Sri Lankan government to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Yours truly,