'Tigers should join democratic stream'

The Sunday observer last week interviewed people on the Government's decision of abrogating the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA). Below are the excerpts of the interview: A Charted Accountant in a private company, Niroshi Vidanapathirana was against the abrogation of the CFA, considering that it is an accepted licence for us to show the international community that we have opened the doors for the LTTE to resume talks.

"Therefore, the Government should not abrogate the CFA, because it has already been accepted by the international community, especially the UN and countries such as India, Pakistan, America, England, France and China".

An executive in a mercantile establishment, Priyantha Pushpakumara was happy over abrogating the CFA, considering the large number of violations by the LTTE.

"The CFA was signed with the expectation of stopping killings, bomb explosions and to bring about normalcy but unfortunately the LTTE did not adhere to it and therefore the Government has no alternative other than abrogating the CFA".

An electrician, L. P. Indrapala of Kalutara said the Government cannot be blamed for abrogating the CFA, because it tolerated the criminal activities committed by the LTTE a number of times violating the CFA".

"There must be an end to this three decade old war as people are fed up with this, therefore I commend the Government's decision," A photographer, Rohan Arulpragasam of Weliveriya thanked the Government for abrogating the CFA which is immensely needed at this juncture.

"I think the CFA is a legally approved document which was given to the LTTE to carryout any kind of illegal activities," Attorney- at- Law, Savithri Sirimanna of Ambepussa said the Government has committed a foolish act by abrogating the CFA.

"When the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) also leaves the country by next week, no international representation is in the Northern district and thereafter the international community will blame us even when repulsing the future LTTE attacks".

A hotelier K.G. Sathyapala of Colombo was also happy over the abrogating the CFA. He said the Government was compelled to do it because during this period LTTE committed various offences under the cover of the CFA.

He also requested the police not to evacuate pavement hawkers in the city considering their support to the police to find suspects as well as unattended parcels.

A lottery ticket seller K. M. Ranaweera too was happy over the abrogating of the CFA.

He said although the majority people in the country are Sinhalese, the country does not belong to any community and asked the LTTE to contest at the forthcoming election and embrace the democracy.

Computer Operator in a Forwarding Company, Devika Rajanayagam of Peradeniya said "Being a Tamil citizen, I commend the Government's decision even at this moment for the sake of all communities, especially our own community the Tamils".

"However, I appeal the LTTE leadership to give up the arms struggle and speak to President Mahinda Rajapaksa directly about their grievances".

She said solving matters through discussion is the policy of the true democrats. A businessman D.M.M. Thajudeen of Kollupitiya wanted the government to settle matters with the LTTE through discussions.

Although the CFA is abrogated and the SLMM sent home, the Government, as a legally elected body must deploy at least the Sri Lanka Red Cross officials there to look into the activities.

Assistant Commissioner in a State Department, Vasanthi Dharmaraja said "I think the abrogating the CFA is a stupid act as the international community will focus a negative attention towards our country."

She said it is the duty of the Government to keep an international organisation like the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to look into the situation in this war-torn area. Schoolteacher, Kusum Balakrishna of Wellawatta said "Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe signed the CFA in good faith, but unfortunately it was not successful".

"Therefore, I request the present politicians not to blame the former Premier for signing this.

Quoting an example, he said people in the country will never forget when former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga too sent a peace delegation to Jaffna in 1994 with the objective of solving the matter.

"She too failed in her attempt and after that the LTTE committed lots of unlawful activities".

Schoolboy Anuruddha Perera of Ananda College, Colombo said our forces have got the morale to fight with the LTTE now.

"But the Government must think that the LTTE cannot be eradicated only by military actions and they must start discussions too".

A shipping agent Dr. Anil Subasinghe said "Former President Ranasinghe Premadasa committed a foolish act by sending the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) back to India before resolving the Northern crisis.

"I think the present President Mahinda Rajapaksa also took a wrong decision to abrogate the CFA".

A Manager in a tea exporting company, Gihan de Silva thanked for signing the CFA with the LTTE and said the former Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe stopped killings at least for about two years.

"Therefore, I request President Mahinda Rajapaksa also not to abrogate the CFA as it has given lot of opportunities for the Government to tackle the LTTE in a systematic manner with international mediation. "When the CFA is abrogated, our country cannot make any complaint to the international community on LTTE activities".

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