8 January 2005
Assassinated Sri Lankan MP Had Strong New Zealand Connections
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Mr Pararajasingham (yellow shirt and tie) and GPJA members
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Global Peace and Justice Auckland supporters were deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the assassination of Sri
Lankan MP and human rights activist Joseph Pararajasingham as he attended a Catholic Church service in Sri Lanka on
December 27th. Mr Pararajasingham was at the altar when the attack occurred.
Mr Pararajasingham visited New Zealand in May 2005 along with his fellow MP Mr Selvaraja Gajendran and met with GPJA
supporters and human rights activists. The above photo was taken after one of the meetings. (Mr Pararajasingham is the
gentleman in the back with the yellow shirt and tie)
Mr Pararajasingham was a Member of Parliament for Batticaloa in Sri Lanka for several years. His constituency is part of
the Tamil community which has been involved in a long struggle for autonomy in Sri Lanka.
The assassination took place despite Mr Pararajasingham being under the military protection of the Sri Lankan government
and was conducted by a paramilitary group – groups that have often been directly associated with the Sri Lankan
government. Such groups have been used frequently to conduct a low-level campaign of violence and intimidation against
Tamil community leaders and activists.
The grave danger following this assassination is that there will be a return to armed conflict in the struggle for Tamil
independence. There is a peace process in place but it is in a fragile state.
GPJA joins with the Tamil community in condemning the assassination and is calling on the New Zealand government to do
likewise. We want the government to communicate directly with the Sri Lankan government – urging it to condemn the
killing and vigorously pursue those responsible.
This is yet another conflict where the people of New Zealand can have an international impact beyond its size. We look
forward to swift government action to contribute to justice and peace in Sri Lanka.
ENDS