An Independent and Interactive Tamil Community Web Site

07-04-2006

LTTE front threaten Jaffna Academics with death. Several professors told to leave Jaffna.

K.S. Rajkumar, April 06, 2006. Increasing numbers of parents and students of the University of Jaffna are getting frustrated with the disturbing developments at the University after the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor Prof Ratnajeevan Hoole. Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole was nominated to be the Vice-Chancellor for the Jaffna University based on a majority vote by the University Senate. Soon after the University Grants Commission made the announcement, LTTE front groups in Jaffna began an orchestrated campaign against Prof. Hoole and warned him against taking up the position. The LTTE web site Nitharsanam operating from Norway, issued a chilling warning to Professor Hoole that he will 'receive the ultimate punishment' if he were ever to take up his new position. Several reports quoted Prof. Hoole stating that he received death threats over the phone. In statements issued to the press the 'Jaffna University Students Union' stated that the students will 'never accept Ratnajeevan Hoole as the vice-chancellor'. Furthermore it went on to state that 'He is a traitor for the Tamil cause and should not set foot in our soil'. A student leader identified as Vijeyaruban said on LTTE television TTN that he will take “tough action” on Hoole if he enters the University campus'. Since Prof. Hoole is unable to function in Jaffna, the University grants commission appointed Professor Parameswaran of the Faculty of Medicine as the acting Vice-Chancellor for Jaffna. Prof. Parameswaran also received death threats from this particular 'Student organization', and the home of another Professor who spoke defending Parameswaran, was stoned and damaged.
In recent days Nitharsanam web-site, widely regarded as being controlled by the LTTE's intelligence unit and managed by a close relative of Pottu Amman published a series of articles under the heading 'Who is this fool?'. The articles warned Hoole that he would receive the maximum punishment from the 'patriotic people of Jaffna'. The articles further warned other academics in Jaffna not to support Prof. Hoole and other “traitors”.

In the midst of all these chaos, posters appeared in the vicinity of Jaffna University on Tuesday night, giving a chilling warning to the Jaffna University Senate members. The intimidating poster published in the name of 'patriotic community of the University' showed the photos of the University Senate members. The poster was also published in several LTTE web sites in Tamil. Under the caption 'Who are the 15 traitors who voted for Hoole? You have to step down immediately. Else you will be identified, exposed and receive the 'ultimate punishment'. Five of the Senate members' photographs were replaced with the 'skull and bone' symbols.

In an interview to the Colombo newspaper, Daily News, Prof. Hoole said he and his family members have also received threatening phone calls. " I have to face the same fate faced by Rajini Thiranagama. My wife was warned over the phone that if I came to Jaffna I would return to Colombo in a coffin beheaded. My fourteen year old daughter was told over the phone, that if I came to Jaffna they would chop up her younger brother!!"

Residents in Jaffna say it is only a vocal minority of students who are causing these problems, while the majority of students are eager to continue with their studies. Speaking to the students, it is clear who is behind this carefully coordinated intimidation campaign. "These student leaders receive instructions from Kilinochchi. They are trying to close down the University" said a student in the Science faculty. Several parents echoed this statement.

A retired school principal whose daughter is a Medical student in Jaffna told “the Tamils started fighting because we were discriminated in the University admissions. Now after 30 years, we face the imminent danger to our education caused by our own people. This is tragic. But nobody will protest or speak out due to fear. I am really worried about the future of our children”.

While the LTTE is trying to shut down the University of Jaffna and threatening the academics with death, several media reports say that the children of senior LTTE leaders' including the children of the LTTE leader Pirbakaran and Tamilselvam are pursuing higher studies and professional degrees abroad in Europe.

Source-Lanka Acadamic