Uthayan/its journalists killed/attacked periodically Attack on Kuhanathan latest in a series

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The attack on the news editor of the Jaffna based Tamil daily Uthayan, Gnanasundaram Kuhanathan last week has not come as a surprise considering the political landscape of the Northern Province and the role the Uthayan played during the Northern Local Government election. Uthayan took the opposition political parties’ views among the Northerners -- and was a lifeline for the opposition that faced great difficulties in conveying their message to the masses due to government intervention.
It was instrumental in revealing various malpractices carried out by the government, including the attempt to intimidate four TNA candidates by a powerful government figure. According to its editor, Prem Anand, it received continuous and ominous threats during the run up to, and after the election.

Beaten and bloodied
Kuhanathan was assaulted on his way home after work on July 29 by two assailants wielding iron rods and was admitted to the Jaffna hospital. Doctors attending on him had asked for 36 hours to determine whether he will survive the attack that was carried out less than 50 yards from the army sentry post at Navalar Road, Jaffna.
“By Wednesday (August 3) he was shifted to the Emergency Ward of Jaffna hospital and he is recovering, albeit slowly. He is now on a liquid diet. However, many are still worried because this is not the first time that Kuhanathan was targeted,” said Prem Anand.
On May 2, 2006, a day before the World Press Freedom Day, Kuhanathan survived an attack that was made on the Uthayan office by an armed gang, alleged to be the members of the EPDP. They forced their way into the office calling out for Kuhanathan before shooting down the marketing manger and the delivery boy. Two other employees were also wounded and were maimed for life.      
Full Story>>>
========================================

S.M.Krishna conducts Pro Sri Lanka Campaign in Indian Parliament

   August 6, 2011

Mr. S. M. Krishna, the External Affairs Minister of India made a Suo Moto Statement on Thursday in Indian Parliament regarding the situation in Sri Lanka.
The statement was on the expected lines in support of Sri Lankan Government which conducted a genocidal war killing lakhs of Sri Lankan Tamils and hundreds of Indian Fishermen. At no point of the statement he had a courtesy or courage to refer the lives lost by Tamils in Sri Lanka and India.
The Statement is intended to answer in advance to the proposed Calling attention motions, discussions and Questions to be formally raised by the members of BJP, AIADMK, CPI and DMK.
S.M Krishna is known for reading Portuguese minister’s speech instead of his own at UN in February 2011. This time he read a statement in Indian Parliament which appears to be prepared to appease the Sri Lankan MPs. These MPs from the killing fields were given the honor of guest visitors in the Indian Parliament recently. The whole statement runs against the people of India . It consists of many deviations in factual account and reflects only the stand taken by Sri Lankan Government.    Read More