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"The struggle of the people of Tamil Eelam has reached a new stage. It is time now for us to move forward with our political vision towards our freedom," Pathmanathan said in an e-mail audio file that has flown around the Tamil diaspora, the British media, including ‘BBC’ and ‘The Times’, reported.
Pathmanathan, who is wanted by Interpol in connection with his role as the Tigers' main arms smuggler, gave no indication that the group would renounce violence but announced the establishment of a "provisional trans-national government of Tamil Eelam".
He said Rudrakumaran Vishwanathan, their overseas-based legal adviser, would head a committee which would decide on a future course of action "within democratic principles".
Tamil Eelam is the name given by the Tigers to the north and eastern areas of Sri Lanka to which they lay claim. Pathmanathan is one of a handful of senior cadres who escaped annihilation last month because he is based overseas.
It is not clear from where has he issued the message, media reports said.
In the final phase of the battle, the troops eliminated the top Tamil Tiger leadership, including its supreme Velupillai Prabhakaran.
The Sri Lankan government has dismissed the so-called 'provisional transnational' government, pointing out that the LTTE does not exist any more.
"The LTTE is no longer a factor. It was military defeated and it cannot achieve a separate state even if it had the military prowess What can it do it now?" Lankan Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was quoted as saying.
The pro-LTTE TamilNet did not carry Pathmanathan's statement and it is not clear if he is really in charge of the rebel remnants.
However, in a column, it has said the "need of the time now is the metamorphosis of the existing infrastructure into a democratic and inclusive transnational government of Eezham Tamils to strengthen the diaspora socially, economically and culturally; to achieve the goal of independence and sovereignty of Eezham Tamils in the home country and to meet the international challenges internationally."
The Tamil diaspora, mostly in Canada, Australia and UK, has been donating millions of dollars for the LTTE cause. The Tigers are a banned terrorist group in most Western countries. Last week, the founder of the British Tamil Association was sentenced to two years in jail for illegally procuring electrical components for the group.
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India should ensure the Indian interest as well the safety of Tamils.Mr Rajapakshe should treat Tamils as his country men and both the communities should co exist to prosper.India should be playing a magnanimous role in helping Sri Lanka that includes singalease as well tamilians.Mr Rajapakshe should engage people like Dr Kalam,Sri Sri and Ram.He need to counter the unnecessary rumours of the Tamil media and peopleike Vaiko,nedumarans both in propaganda aswell in action of settling Tamils.There is powerful phenomena called 'natural Justice'President Rajapakshe has won the LTTE.Yet to win Tamil hearts.http://farthepeople.com/
Whay does BBC continue to have links with a Terrorist group to get there communications? They shoulf face the full face of the alwa for that
There will be no ethnic problem in Srilanka if the govt there follows india,s model of having linguistic states with autonomy with only control on defence and foreign affairs.Unfortunately the govt of Srilanka is not listening to the counsel of other nations and guided by militant budhdhst monks and extreme elements among sinhalese.
I too endorse this view of Mr. RP. What we are achieving bifurcating India and Pakistan? To me the Muslim brothers left over in India are better off that the Muslims in Pakistan. It is not advisable to divide the country on racial segregation. We must learn to live peacefully. The best example for such living is Singapore state. There 4 races broadly identified as people of different races Chinese, English, Malayans and Indians. They are very peacefully and cordially coexisting there in the proportion of their population. Yes there was the trouble of fighting for the domination and supremacy. But settled well and now are living peacefully. When that is the solution for a small island city state, the concept is very much necessary for bigger states. Separation is not at all the solution. Understanding, respecting and recognizing and sharing the available resources equally is the solution for the problem which is taught by the History.
The only solution for both Shinala and Tamils to live peacefully ever, is divide the SL country into two, like India and Pakistan was divided. Else you both cann't live in peace for ever.... All your generation is going to suffer.....
History teaches us that a country divided cannot live peacefully. Think about your example of India and Pakistan. Terrorism must be defeated politically, economically and militarily. Ideally, govt (with international pressure) has to nip such activities in the bud before they allowed to grow to be an international headache.