Velupillai Prabhakaran's speech on 'Maaveerar' day
A significant change can be noticed between the Heroes Day addresses of last year and this year. The necessity then was to create the impression especially among the international community that the LTTE was not a group of terrorists but a group of freedom fighters who were fighting for the legitimate rights of the Tamil people. It was also the first time that the LTTE agreed to a federal setup of government. However, the Heros' Day address this year blamed the international community for undue intervention in the peace process and the exercise of self determination.
- 'Thinamurusu' (Sunday)

The international community was awaiting the Heroes Day address of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran, and as expected he made a cut and dry statement. Everyone was waiting to see what Prabhakaran would say to the southern politicians. What his speech contained was a cautious warning to them.
His warning would have certainly been food for thought to the politicians in the South, who are lost in the wilderness trying to resolve the political crisis that has arisen in Colombo. - 'Sudaroli'- (Sunday)

The Heroes day address of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on November 27 has been a total disappointment to the Muslims, for he failed to recognise them as a separate entity in the peace dialogue. He also failed to apologise to the Muslims in the Eastern province for the atrocities committed against them.

Prabhakaran had earlier agreed to the Muslims being represented as a separate entity at the same table, but now he seems to be backing down. His address gives the inference that he believes the Muslims and Sinhalese would live on the Tamil Eelam soil. Though there is government control in the East, there is no security for the Muslims living there. If that is so, would the Muslims be able to secure their rights in Tamil Eelam? - Navamani

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