Tiger stamps: Lanka to defy UPU laws

8 January 2012 09:27 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 52 Bookmark

A A A

Sri Lanka’s postal authorities have decided to defy rules and regulations stipulated by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) when dealing with letters and parcels with stamps bearing the emblem of the LTTE and the image of its late leader, officials said yesterday.

Already, there are reports that members of the pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora have issued personalised stamps bearing the emblem of the beleaguered LTTE in France, Britain and Canada. First, it was reported in France, and the issue was taken up diplomatically.

According to the UPU Treaty, stamps of member nations are accepted for the entire international route of mailing.

Post Master General M.K.B. Dissanayake said he informed La Poste, the French postal authority, not to send any parcel or letter with such stamps to Sri Lanka.

“In this case, we will act according to domestic rules and regulations whatever has been stipulated by the UPU. For us, the interest of Sri Lanka is more important than anything else,” he said.

The LTTE is a banned organisation in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, it is prohibited to use the emblem of the LTTE within the country. Also, the organisation remains banned in several other countries including the European Union.

However, he said he was yet to receive reports about stamps printed in Canada and Britain.

Earlier, the External Affairs Ministry, on behalf of the Sri Lankan government, registered its official protest with the French Embassy in Colombo over the issuance of such stamps. The French authorities admitted later that it was a mistake.

Asked for a comment, a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said the stamps printed in France were personalised stamps. The spokesman said these stamps would not be used in that country and therefore any problem would not arise in the future. (Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 52

Justin Monday, 09 January 2012 01:05 PM

In 1958, a new generation of greedy and exploitative Sinhalese, representing a new generation of colnialism were against Tamils trying to control their destiny. For the p-ast 54 years they grew up to be brutal, murderous and genocidal.

"Divide and rule" is a strategy used by colonisers. Tamil Muslims in the NE were divided from the Tamils and were given a false identity as "Muslims" by the Sinhalese.

For the past 50 years, Muslims were abused by the GOSL to get political support for SL in Arab countries against the aspirations of Tamils, to get votes in the UN, to get miltary support from Pakistan against the LTTE and weapons from Gadaffi to kill Tamil civilians.

Tamil Muslims must turn to reality to get their rights, which is also the rights of Tamils in Tamil Eelam.

0 2

victoria Monday, 09 January 2012 09:11 AM

Dear Amar,

You are thinking like the Defense Secy??

14 52

Raja Monday, 09 January 2012 09:20 AM

Are France and like minded Western Nations considered failed states to allow law of the jungle to operate?

23 17

Samantha Monday, 09 January 2012 09:16 AM

With people of such brilliance among us it is incomprehensible why we still remain a third world country.

35 32

Aroth Monday, 09 January 2012 09:16 AM

Don't return such postal articles to sender; Destroy them instead.

14 23

victoria Monday, 09 January 2012 09:24 AM

NOT exited, but scared of LTTR even after the death of its founder

16 23

Raja Monday, 09 January 2012 09:25 AM

Terrorists are exposing the inefficiencies in the Western world, by being smarter than their host nations. Good on you Tiger terrorists. Keep exposing them.

35 19

Danny Monday, 09 January 2012 09:50 AM

Man, you're so funny....

18 17

gowravi Monday, 09 January 2012 10:07 AM

U r so intelligent , what brains ...

4 35

MOHAMED ASFAR Monday, 09 January 2012 11:25 AM

slowly but surely the west falling into the hands of LTTE tails. no worries for us. no more terrorists here.

2 1

Zafar Khalid Monday, 09 January 2012 11:35 AM

This is what I call Western PERVERSION WITH A COCTION OF SADISM

1 2

Nodrog Monday, 09 January 2012 12:10 PM

Not smarter just more devious!

0 4

Nodrog Monday, 09 January 2012 12:29 PM

That you're an idiot?

1 10

sathees Monday, 09 January 2012 01:48 PM

This is the difference between a paper and bullet.

1 1

rumi Monday, 09 January 2012 01:48 PM

It is EU and WEST that encourage all terrorists in the world.

2 1

Sam Monday, 09 January 2012 01:54 PM

I think SL government must print Osama Bin Ladens stamp. He is much respected in Asian countries than Prabakaran. We must respect Muslim world free Dom. France is doing the right thing. We must follow suit.

3 2

Rajiv Monday, 09 January 2012 02:24 PM

all of u r gone nuts, for the sake of the stamps

1 3

Ameer Monday, 09 January 2012 03:00 PM

Agree with the decision made, be brave like this, we, the nation are with you sir

0 0

kanan Monday, 09 January 2012 03:31 PM

one thing we have to remember prabha is not dead, then everything possible. pl be reality

0 0

kul Monday, 09 January 2012 04:33 PM

who cares..

0 0

John Fernandez Tuesday, 10 January 2012 05:02 AM

Any one can make stamps with their own picture in some countries. This is a result of that privilage.

2 3

Realist Tuesday, 10 January 2012 07:52 AM

Siva it is people like you who get Tamil public into trouble.

0 2

l desilva Tuesday, 10 January 2012 08:34 AM

@Samantha, I like ur comment!! I like ur comment!!

0 0

Ruwan Tuesday, 10 January 2012 09:22 AM

This is because we use our brilliance on non productive devious ideas and methods. If we could use this brilliance productively we will be leading the world!

0 1

Javi Tuesday, 10 January 2012 09:51 AM

"Tamils are Rights fighters" not terrorist, Don't stamp them as Terrorists to bury their political rights!

0 2

anura Monday, 09 January 2012 06:31 AM

We should take stern action for this type of terrorist activities.Just do not deliver such post within srilanka. We do not have to apologise to anybody.

16 28

mahad Amar Monday, 09 January 2012 12:56 AM

This may lead to good sources of information re LTTE. Any recepient of letters with these stamps may be LTTE supporters. Trace them and investigate.

59 106

raj Monday, 09 January 2012 01:04 AM

how can a stamp be threat to national security?

130 87

Postman Monday, 09 January 2012 02:01 AM

What shall I do if the stamps bear Muralitharan or KP on them?.

33 88

Puran Monday, 09 January 2012 03:26 AM

It only means you are in good company and a an accepted member of the GOSL.
Congratulations

16 52

Chamara Monday, 09 January 2012 04:12 AM

It is same as using Nazi symbol or Hitlers image in stamps

34 112

amara linga Monday, 09 January 2012 04:19 AM

osama bin ladan, kim jan ill,pol pot,sadam hussain ,stamp will come if piribakaran stam ok in france .aloso no longer one part will ask by ltte from france

25 38

Yuri Monday, 09 January 2012 04:19 AM

So much scared for even stamp.. what to think

98 86

DJ Monday, 09 January 2012 04:34 AM

Hah.. hah.. good point. How can this be a threat to national security. Till suicide bombs explode and another war starts it is not a threat?

41 59

Aristotle Monday, 09 January 2012 04:58 AM

France is an example for freedom. You can even print your own stamp.

58 53

kenneth chelian Monday, 09 January 2012 05:38 AM

There are personalized stamps in Canada too. One can put any picture and prnt their own stamps and pay for it and then use it.

So if one put praba's picture and print them it is very difficult to identify by the POLICE in Canada

13 20

Route Monday, 09 January 2012 05:57 AM

So, if somebody wants put you in trouble, just send a letter with the LTTE stamp to your address.

13 97

Thomas Monday, 09 January 2012 06:30 AM

Why are you getting so excited?

28 23

mohan Sunday, 08 January 2012 11:54 PM

i don't think any one stupid enough post letter with those stamp and put there relatives in trouble :)

12 141

priyanthaIi Monday, 09 January 2012 06:32 AM

Are u NUT?

34 42

Roy Rogers Monday, 09 January 2012 06:28 AM

First, it shows total failure of our diplomatic corp, what were they doing when behind the door work has been going on to get this stamps officially approved. we have been shouting through our belly to appoint Career Diplomats and not political henchmen, this is the result for failing to do so. Then it is not possible to trace LTTE supporters in SL from letters received with such stamps, anyone could put that stamp and post it to their enemies here.

8 49

sajitha Monday, 09 January 2012 06:49 AM

Excuse me these are personalise stamps where you can print any image along side the real stamp. The picture is not stamp.

13 21

Mr Retort Monday, 09 January 2012 07:05 AM

What if other contries reciprocate this in their countries. Just think before the jump. This matter needs more careful thinking and otherwise we are to lose in the long run.

8 18

siva Monday, 09 January 2012 07:03 AM

It shows the gretat growth of LTTE supporters and tamil disapora very well in the western countries after 2009. They can get the recognition of tamil home land by such activities. Today France, Canada, and UK accepetd the stams and they may accept the tamil eelam tomorrow saying serious human right abuses.

25 39

La Lankais Monday, 09 January 2012 07:28 AM

They will not send letter with those stamp on it to their relatives, but they will send letters to News Papers, Government institutes, Foreign Missions etc..

4 103

ravi Monday, 09 January 2012 07:28 AM

I'm sure, only the culprits will be posting letters with these stamps to put their enemies into trouble.

7 17

Appuhamy Monday, 09 January 2012 07:28 AM

Don't accept the parcels and letters. Return to sender.

16 26

ind Monday, 09 January 2012 07:38 AM

No, it's in the other way. The sender is the LTTE supporter.

16 52

Minnal Sri Monday, 09 January 2012 08:13 AM

Our government is pushed to a corner. Time has come to devolve power sharing or face more problems with diaspora Tamils.

27 37

KABAB Monday, 09 January 2012 08:21 AM

Another added burden to the tax payers.

10 15

Fair N Square Monday, 09 January 2012 08:45 AM

I wonder what will happen If a letter with such a stamp is mailed to Mervin or even Duminda.....

9 36

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.