Press release from TAMIL FORUM For Commonwealth 97 (24.10.97) Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source:news@tamilnet.com Fri Oct 24 14:39:08 1997 TamilNet received the following press release from TAMIL FORUM For Commonwealth 97. This appeal is distributed through TamilNet mailing list 24.10.1997 TAMIL FORUM For Commonwealth 97 Eelam House, 202 Long Lane, London SE1 4QB. Tel:- 0171 403 4554 Fax:- 0171 403 1653 24 October 1997 INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS Despite efforts by Sri Lankan High Commission to disrupt and bring into disrepute the Tamil Cultural Festival, the event will still be taking place. The Tamil Forum feels that the presence of the Tamil Eelam Nation at the Commonwealth is in keeping with the Edinburgh Summit's theme of ' People's Commonwealth'. The Tamils of Eelam are a people not represented at this meeting and the Tamil Festival is an expression of cultural identity which the Forum hopes will rectify the balance. The raising of the Scottish flag and the Tamil Eelam flag by prominent members of both communities will open the event. The Tamil Forum will also be providing a 40 min. program at the Ross Theater Bandstand including Tamil Eelam folk dance and classical Barathanatyam. The cultural festival will now be taking place at Mid Meadow Walk, Edinburgh, in a specially constructed Tamil Eelam Marquee. The Tamil Forum extends a warm invitation to the Scottish people to come and join us for the cultural display and also sample some Tamil food. The Tamil Forum is also organising a seminar on the subject of Democracy and Good Governance in Sri Lanka and other issues related to the Commonwealth. Speakers contributing to the discussion will come from both sides of the National divide in Sri Lanka. Details of the venue can be obtained nearer the time. Members of the Tamil community will be organising a vigil outside the Edinburgh conference centre. The vigil will be a protest at the presence of the Sri Lankan president within the conference centre and a denial of the legitimacy of the Sri Lankan state's claim to represent the people of Tamil Eelam. The Tamil Forum Website will be updated on a regular basis throughout the day with pictures and details of the event as they happen. Complimentary tickets are still available for journalists who wish to travel on the Eelam - Scotland Friendship train. The five hour journey will provide a unique opportunity for interviewing Tamil people from a wide cross section of the community. For any further information or to book tickets please contact Raj on 0171 403 - 4554. International Federation of Tamils Tamil Lawyers Association Medical Institute Of Tamils International Tamil Foundation Tamil Concern Bolton Tamil Association Federation of Tamil Associations U.K Tamil Action Committee ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytas-10.25.97-22:30:58-16779