18 May 2012, Geneva - Visvanathan Rudrakumaran (Prime Minister, Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam) and Rev Dr S J Emanuel (President, Global Tamil Forum) today jointly issued a statement to mark the third anniversary of the genocidal events that the Tamils had to endure in Mullivaaikkaal. "On this day, we remember with deep sorrow and solemn responsibility all the people who perished in Mullivaaikkaal and in the long freedom struggle of Eelam Tamils in preceding years. On this occasion, while we remember the mass atrocities in Mullivaaikkaal, it is incumbent upon us to jointly and solemnly declare that the pursuit of freedom by our people shall remain incessant", thay said.

"Representatives of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam and the Global Tamil Forum got together in San Francisco on the 13th and 14th of this month. We are pleased to announce that following discussions on several areas of joint action, agreements were reached on some of these areas. This is indeed an important milestone as we move through the third phase of our struggle for freedom coinciding with the remembrance of Mullivaaikkaal. The Global Tamil Forum intends to liaise with other Diaspora Tamil organisations and representatives of Tamil speaking people in Sri Lanka in its efforts to build similar forms of shared understanding. The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, for its part, is engaged in building a power base among the world Tamil community, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and with sections of the international civil society" , they said in the statement.

PRESS STATEMENT BY GLOBAL TAMIL FORUM, July 6th 2011 - A packed reception in the British Parliament on July 5th highlighted the level of support amongst parliamentarians and key decision-makers for truth, accountability and justice in Sri Lanka.

Hosted by Hon. Lee Scott MP and Hon. Siobhain McDonagh MP, Chair and Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG – T), and facilitated by the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), the event was attended by over 40 Members of Parliament including Government Ministers, Shadow Ministers, MPs and Lords. A number of representatives from leading NGOs, Embassies and High Commissions in London, as well as British, Tamil, Sinhala and Indian media organisations were also in attendance. Many senior figures from the Tamil community in the UK and around the world were present also.

A background slideshow displayed photos and quotes depicting the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka since the end of the war in 2009 and international responses to the prevailing situation and emerging evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Commenting on the powerful images and messages on those screens, one senior foreign diplomat remarked that the captions are a testament of her country's commitment to pressing the Government of Sri Lanka on issues concerning accountability and reconciliation in order to achieve lasting peace on the island.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Hon. Alistair Burt MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, emphasised that reconciliation and long-lasting peace in Sri Lanka could only be achieved through a credible and independent investigation into the allegations of war crimes committed during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s military conflict.

A Sri Lankan priest who is living in self-imposed exile and campaigning for peace and justice in his homeland visited Brisbane recently to plead on behalf of his people. PAUL DOBBYN reports