17. An Urgent Appeal

YAB DATO' SERI ABDULLAH HJ. AHMAD BADAWI,
PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

MR. KOFI ANNAN,
FORMER SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UN

YB TAN SRI RAZALI ISMAIL,
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY


Dear Sirs,

It is with utmost regret and consternation I am making this urgent appeal to you, Sirs, in your most distinguished capacities to seek and bring forth an amicable PEACE in the small island nation of SRI LANKA. This state has been in bitter conflict for the last 35 years and to-date more than 70,000 people have lost their lives.

Your combined varied experience, and Malaysia's capability in the handling of the communist insurgency and ethnic relations should be the reason for your suitability for this task.

I believe the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake is on a visit to this country now. He would most probably say there is no conflict, or it is their internal matter or they are dealing with it. All of which are not true and has been the attitude of succeeding governments after governments prolonging this conflict.

A quartet of 4 donor countries consisting of US, Britain, Japan and Norway have failed miserably to bring forth a settlement. It has been all talk but no concerted action to force a solution.

The freedom fighters have a valid case of seeking a violent struggle in a land where reason and logic are not respected. I am not to dwell on their merits but I am seeking your committed involvement to bring about peace in a manner similar to that in Acheh, where an amicable settlement was reached spontaneously, after 30 years of bloodshed.

This is further to Mr. Kofi Annan's statement at the Khazanah Global Lectures where he mentioned that " Respect for national sovereignty can no longer be used as an excuse for inaction in the face of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity."

I am making this appeal in my personal capacity and on behalf of millions of Sri Lankans in Sri Lanka and throughout the world who are concerned but have not sought the right parties and persons to bring forth a solution.You cannot dismiss this urgent humanitarian request.

A 35 year war and 70,000 lives lost and no solution in sight are the compelling reasons for your involvement.

Thank you very much, Sirs, and I am looking forward to your positive response on this matter.


Yours most sincerely,

Rajahram Ramalingam