Yaalppanam (Jaffna) District Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian, K. Sivanesan, was killed in a Claymore attack carried out by the Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit on A-9 road, 30 minutes after he crossed into Vanni through Oamanthai / Pu’liyangku’lam entry point on 06.03.2008. The Claymore attack has taken place between Pu’liyangku’lam and Maangku’lam around 1:20 p.m. The MP’s vehicle was targeted when he was returning to his residence in Mallaavi, after attending the parliamentary sessions in Colombo. His driver was also killed in the attack. The DPU attackers have exploded four Claymore mines in a row, Tamileelam Police officials told TamilNet.

Mr. Sivanesan’s driver, Periyannan Maheswararajah, 27, father of one, from Cheddiku’lam, Vavuniyaa, was killed on the spot. Sivanesan MP succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to Maangku’lam hospital. A 11-year-old boy from Kugnchukku’lam, Arulnaathan Lujithnathan, cycling on A9 road was also injured in the attack.
K. Sivanesan, born on 21 January, 1957, was General Manager of Northern Region Palm Development CO-OP society’s Uni-Cluster, between 1996 and 2004, before being elected to Sri Lanka Parliament. He has worked as accountant of the palm development co-operative society’s union of Jaffna and a secretary of Federation of popular association in Mallaavi, Vanni. He was a former student of Nelliyadi Maththiya Mahaa Viththiyaalayam.Mr. Sivanesan leaves behind his wife and four children, 2 sons and 2 daughters.

Sivanesan participated in the debate in parliament on March 5 and voted against the motion extending the state of emergency for another month. Later, he left for Mallaavi where his family has been residing in his vehicle. He met his death on his way to Mallaavi. He had miraculously escaped a claymore explosion during the middle of last year in the same site targeting his vehicle.

“It is believed that the claymore attack targeting Mr. Sivanesan had been carried out by the Deep Penetration Unit of the Sri Lanka Army. Such attacks had been carried earlier in Vanni by the Deep Penetration Unit of the SLA. “The TNA points out at this juncture that its parliamentarians Joseph Pararajasingham in Mattakalappu , N.Raviraj in Colombo, former parliamentarians Chandra Nehru (Ampaa’rai), Sivamaharasa (Yaalppaanam) and a candidate, Vigneswaran (Thirukonamalai) and several heads of local authorities in the North and East had also been killed in a planned way.

“While the number of Tamil representatives who have been fighting for the rights of their people are being killed, the number of Tamils who surrender daily at the offices of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka are on the increase. “The TNA made representations to the Speaker several times regarding death threats to TNA parliamentarians and that they are being obstructed to carry out their parliamentary and democratic activities. But no action has been taken on the TNA complaints.

“The TNA stresses at this juncture that no force could stop Tamils voicing and fighting for the freedom of their community by killing its democratically elected representatives and subjecting them to intimidation and death threats.”Mr. Sivanesan worked hard for the emancipation of the Tamil people, against social injustice and for the development of co-operative movement. He won the hearts of Tamils by his unwavering stand on the freedom struggle by his deed and speech. He dedicated himself from the young age for the liberation of his people. “The death of Mr.Sivanesan is an irreparable loss to the Tamil community. His sacrifice would not go unrewarded. It would contribute to the liberation of the Tamil nation.
Velupillai Pirapaharan, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) has conferred Maamanithar (Great human being) title, the highest national civilian honour by the LTTE, posthumously to K. Sivanesan, the Tamil national alliance parliamentarian who was assassinated  in Vanni in Claymore attack allegedly carried out by the Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit. Honouring Mr. Sivanesan, the LTTE leader said: “Mr. Kiddinan Sivanesan is a unique individual who functioned selflessly, honestly, and with courage. He is simple, courteous and loving. He is a sincere politician who possessed high ideals. He labored tirelessly for the advancement and welfare of the workers.”

Following is the full text of the letter of the LTTE leader, translated and published by the LTTE Political Division:
A great human being who deeply loved the Tamil people and the Tamil nation was destroyed by the Sinhala State. This planned, brutal assassination is the latest cruelty in the ongoing ethnic genocide of the Tamils. This vicious killing in the Vanni land is another illustration of the Sinhala State terrorism. Mr. Kiddinan Sivanesan is a unique individual who functioned selflessly, honestly, and with courage. He is simple, courteous and loving. He is a sincere politician who possessed high ideals. He labored tirelessly for the advancement and welfare of the workers.

Freedom of the Tamils and the liberation of the Tamil homeland are his life goals. He yearned for a free and honorable life for the Tamil people in their land without the torments that have afflicted them. He longed to see free Tamil Eelam. To achieve these goals he accepted our movement, its political aim, the struggle we have launched and served dedicatedly.

He took up the responsibility of representing the people of Jaffna and roamed the world seeking justice for the Tamils. He raised awareness among our people and gathered their support. He exposed the atrocities of the Sinhala state and it’s occupying military to the world. He was courageous even in the midst of repeated harassments and threats of the Sinhala military. His service for the liberation of Tamil Eelam through his hard work and exemplary skills are immeasurable.

Honoring Mr. Kiddinan Sivanesan’s love for the freedom and his people, I am proud to posthumously award him the supreme title of “Mamanithar”. Death never destroys the great souls who lived their life for truth. They will live forever in nation’s soul as heroes of our history.

“The yearning of the Tigers is the homeland of Tamil Eelam”

(Tamilnet & Tamilnation.org)