| 13-08-2006
Com.
Ketheesh Loganathan's Murder - The demise of a great humanitarian
EPRLF condemns the cowardly
murder of Ketheesh Loganathan at his residence on the 13th of August
2006. The perpetrators of this dastardly act arrived at the gate of
his home at around 9.30 P.M and shot him at point blank range, causing
a fatal wound. He succumbed to this wound on his way to the hospital.
EPRLF expresses its deepest condolences to his wife Bhawani and to
all other family members.
Ketheesh joined the EPRLF
in the early eighties when the civil strife was still at its early
stages. He took active part in the mass agitations. By this time Ketheesh
was already a distinguished academic and a socially conscious activist.
After completing his studies in the USA and the UK he returned home
and worked with the Social Scientist Association. During this time
he also managed an institute for Development Research Education and
Communication, founded by his late father Mr.Loganathan in Jaffna.
When the conflict intensified
Ketheesh joined the ranks of the EPRLF and became a prominent leader
of the organisation. His discipline, dedication to what he did and
unrelenting humanitarian concern set an example within the organisation
and inspired hundreds of cadres. He was an accomplished strategist
and an articulate spokesperson of the organisation. He played a crucial
role along with Com. Pathmanaba in forging the united front ENLF in
the mid eighties and the subsequent negotiation with the Government
of Sri Lanka in the Bhutanese capital Thimpu in 1985.
Following the Indo - Lanka
accord he did not take part in the North-East provincial Government,
he instead traveled to Europe and pursued his academic career in developmental
studies. During this time he interacted with International organisations
and continued to actively engage in campaigning for peace and human
rights in Sri Lanka.
Following the dissolution
of the North East Provincial government hundreds of EPRLF cadres and
leaders were forced into exile in India. Ketheesh returned to India
in 1990, at this critical time in order to be with the cadres and
undertake the task of rebuilding the organisation. He was based in
New Delhi and developed contacts and understanding with academics,
intellectuals and political leaders in India.
Following the assassination
of Com Pathmanaba, Ketheesh played a vital role in the Party's second
congress in Chennai. He returned to Sri Lanka to pursue the Party
work during a most difficult time and worked with the Party until
1994. He left the Party in 1994 and decided to pursue his academic
work and continue to work for peace, democracy and human rights.
In the last decade Ketheesh
maintained contacts with the leaders and
activists of all sections of society and relentlessly worked to bring
an end to this inhumane war. He never stopped striving to find a solution
to this conflict and aspired to see a unified Sri Lankan Nation where
all sections of society can live with dignity.
Ketheesh will be remembered
by the EPRLF and all Sri Lankans as a
great visionary Sri Lankan leader, an exemplary humanitarian and a
courageous and consummate political activist.
T.Sritharan,
Secretary
EPRLF-Pathmanabha
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