New Delhi, 25 08 2011 - Now we are a Member of the Security Council. Why not take this problem there? This problem has got international significance. It is not the problem of Tamilians. It is the problem of all Indians. This is an Indian problem. This is our national problem. I would remind that we have lost the precious life of a Prime Minister of this country for this Therefore, the matter has to be taken very, very seriously and our voice must be heard and in that tone, we have to speak to that Government, said DR. JANARDHAN WAGHMARE in his speech in the Indian Parliament Rajya Sabha today.

New Delhi, 25 08 2011 - The brother of the President of Sri Lanka and the Defence Secretary is a naturalized US citizen, and former Army Commander is a permanent resident of the United States. Making use of your close ties with the United States Government, strongly demand for an investigation of War Crimes and trial, if necessary, within the US courts or in the international criminal court, urged Tiruchi Siva (DMK) in his speech in the Indian Parliament Rajya Sabha today.

"We have never seen that type of tragedy because we are living peacefully for the past 2000 years. We have not seen the First World War or the Second World War. We have not seen this type of massacre. That massacre has been done by the Sri Lankan Army," said Indian communist party member and trade unionist T.K. RANGARAJAN (TAMIL NADU) speaking today in the Indian Parliament Rajya Sabha.

"I, on behalf of Bahujan Samaj Party and its National President Kum. Mayawati, insist that India should come forward with a political solution to take care of not only Sri Lankan Tamils but also of Tamils living all over the word," said Ambeth Rajan in Indian Parliament Rajya Sabha today.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mr. S.S. Ahluwalia yesterday urged the Indian Government, to prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government to implement the U.N. Panel’s recommendation in their earnest and vigorously pursue the Thirteenth Amendment to its logical conclusion so that a lasting solution is found and durable peace is established in the neighbourhood.

"Yesterday, the parliamentary forum on Human Rights for Global Development had a discussion with eight Tamil political parties from Sri Lanka. They came down to New Delhi. Our Members of Parliament from all political parties from different States have interacted with them. At that time, they told that the Sri Lankan Army was there. The Army is dominated, more or less, by the Sinhalese alone. The Tamilians are not a part of the Army, Navy and the Air Force. They are dominating there. If you take the area of the northern part, more than one lakh Army personnel are there. The people are living under fear and wondering whether they were living in their own country and whether they were enjoying civil rights. Now, we have to request the Sri Lankan Government to withdraw the Army from that area and deploy police so that the civilian rule comes back," Dr Sudarsana Natchiappan, (Indian ruling Congress party member from Tamil Nadu) said today in the Indian Parliament Rajya Sabha participating in a discussion on the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Jack Layton, August 20, 2011 - Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination. Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

Amnesty International, 16 August 2011 - Two Sri Lankans and an Indian national convicted for the assassination of India’s former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, are facing imminent execution in Vellore prison in Tamil Nadu, India. This follows the rejection of their mercy petitions by the President of India. If carried out, these would be the first executions in India since 2004.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The eleven-year delay in announcing the verdict of the mercy petition and the resultant stay on death row may further amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The Supreme Court of India has itself commuted death sentences in a number of cases due to prolonged delay in deciding mercy petitions.

The Friday Forum, 12 August 2011 - Weeks after local government elections in Jaffna we remain concerned about the state of democracy, protection of human rights, and the political polarisation that troubles the North in particular and the entire country in general.

Caritas, 10 August 2011 - " Sri Lanka is now at a crucial stage in its quest for reconciliation. Our future as a united or divided nation will depend on the decisions taken, or not taken, by our politicians at this point ", said Rev Fr Vimal Tirimanne CSSR in his introductory remarks as moderator of a Caritas dialogue session held last week at the SEDEC auditorium with the participation of several political personalities. " The President is enjoying great popular support and the government commands a huge majority in parliament. So, this is the moment.