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| Sunday, 8 May 2005 |
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Upper Kotmale Project : Rifts emerge From Tamil Press by M. P. Muttiah CWC General Secretary Arumugam Thondaman said that a final decision would be taken on the Upper Kotmale Project after consulting President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. He said that the Ceylon Worker's Congress initiated the protest against the Upper Kotmale Project but those who supported then, opposed it now (Virakesari (VK) 2/5). Upcountry People's Front Parliamentarian P. Chandrasekeran welcomed the development efforts under way in upcountry. At the same time he would not support Upper Kotmale or any other project that could be detrimental to the security and freedom of the people (VK.2/5). Western Province People's Front General Secretary T. Jeyanandaraja said that the UPF leader and former Minister P. Chandrasekeran laid the foundation for Upper Kotmale Project with the then Power and Energy Minister but now he opposed it for petty political gains (VK 2/5). New Democratic Party Organiser E. Thambiah said that his party opposed the Upper Kotmale Project. He said the people would face serious problems if it was implemented. He alleged the living and housing conditions of the plantation workers were very poor and no politicians took any interest in alleviating the situation (SO 2/5). The May Day Declaration passed at the Kilinochchi said that the struggle was the only way to win the rights of Tamil people. It said that this was flexible on the Tamil-side for the sake of peace and the people were forced to struggle for their rights without passing time (Sudar Oli (SO) 2/5). More than 50 thousand people participated at the May Day rally held in Jaffna. A large cut out of LTTE leader was taken in the procession. Students, representatives of civil organisations, trade unions, religious dignitaries, teachers and parliamentarians attended the rally. They carried the pictures of slain journalist D. Sivaram (SO.2/5). TNA parliamentarians urged the Indian Foreign Secretary Shiyam Saran to help start peace process. They said the peace process was on a stand still and formation of joint mechanism is delayed. Therefore, they said that India should help change the situation (VK 3/5). TNA has demanded the donor countries not to provide tsunami aid if no joint mechanism was created. The meeting of the donor countries will be held on May 16 and 17, but there were no possibilities of an agreement between the Government and the LTTE (VK 3/5). CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman said there was no truth in the statements that his party would leave the government. He said he would have talks with the government on the Upper Kotmale Project and people need not worry about the project (Thinakkural (TK) 3/5). Minister C. V. Ratnaike said that creation of joint mechanism would pave way for lasting peace. President had made efforts to establish such a mechanism to with a view to bring the LTTE to a reconciliation process. He said if there was no peace, development activities could not be able to successfully carry forward (VK 4/5). Protest was held against the visit of North East Governor Tyronne Fernando on May 4 near Jaffna library. The Governor visited Jaffna to discuss several issues including the development of cricket in Jaffna. However, the protestors did not allow him to enter the premises. He went to the conference through the back door of the library (VK.6/5). It is reported that a joint mechanism between the Government and the LTTE
on the reconstruction of tsunami-affected North and East would be signed
next week by the peace secretariats of the Government and the LTTE. Norway
would make arrangements once the Government showed green light (SO 6/5). |
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