To cooperate with Government:

Political parties hail TNA's decision

by Manjula FERNANDO and P.Krishnaswamy

Several political parties and individuals have welcomed the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) decision to cooperate with the Government in addressing the post-conflict humanitarian issues and working towards finding a political solution to the national question.

Some of the political parties commenting on the TNA's new stance said that the TNA should have taken this decision long ago and the destructions of thousands of innocent lives and the displacement of families could have been prevented and an early settlement of the national question could have been reached long ago.

Here are excerpts of the interview:

Leader of the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), Tharmalingam Sitharthan:

"We welcome the decision of the TNA to work in coordination with the Government on issues concerning the displaced Tamils including their resettlement and rehabilitation. I believe the TNA will also conduct itself in a similar spirit with regard to negotiations with the Government to evolve a workable political solution to the national problem.

It is unfortunate that even though President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited the TNA during the latter part of 2008 and in 2009 for talks on IDP issues they did not respond positively, apparently due to pressure from the LTTE. The TNA parliamentarians are now in a position to take their own independent decision, and take this opportunity to resolve the problems of the Tamils through talks with the President."

General Secretary, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), M.T. Hassan Ali:

"We welcome the announcement of the TNA on its readiness to hold discussions and to work in coordination with the Government on matters relating to the resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Even in the case of the SLMC, we would extend our cooperation to the Government in all matters relating to the resettlement of the Muslim IDPs."

National Organiser of the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) and Deputy Minister of Child Development and Women's Affairs, M.L.A.M. Hisbullah:

"It is a good but belated move on the part of the TNA. We are also aware of the long term and short term plans of the Government to rebuild and develop the two war-torn provinces. Hence all problems relating to IDP resettlement, their rehabilitation and development of their areas should be brought to his notice. We have to sit and talk to sort out all problems.

"After 30 long years, we have the opportunity to unite as Sri Lankans under the leadership of President Rajapaksa and work for communal amity and lasting peace in our motherland."

Deputy leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and Deputy Leader of Committees, Murugesu Chandrakumar MP:

"The TNA should have taken this decision long ago and thousands of innocent lives, displacements of families at a unprecedented level, untold sufferings and ravages of properties everywhere could have been prevented. However, we welcome this decision which the TNA has taken in the light of the current realities. They should take advantage of this opportunity to work in coordination with the Government to provide everything for the Tamils, who have lost virtually everything in the long drawn out battle, to live with dignity in their own villages. The EPDP had for a long time stressed the need to take such a stance which they flatly rejected. But, due to pressure from the people and having realised the ground realities, they have taken the decision to talk to the Government and work in coordination to rebuild the lives of displaced people."

Leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), V.Anandasangaree:

"The TNA is reported to have said that they have agreed to coordinate with the Government to rebuild the devastated areas and resettle people in their areas. At one stage, much earlier, I appealed to the TNA to persuade the LTTE to release those who were being held by them as human shields.

Had the TNA need to it at that stage, several thousands of lives buildings and properties worth billions of rupees could have been saved. While accepting responsibility for the heavy damage caused, the TNA must go all out and see that every house that was destroyed is rebuilt and damaged houses renovated.

Bishop of Mannar the Rt.Rev.Dr. Rayappu Joseph:

"We welcome the TNA's decision. I always told them that we must give up certain ideas and hold talks with the Government to resolve problems. I was keen on a political solution to be achieved on a collective and mutual cooperative basis. The Tamil IDPs who are now in the process of being resettled had lost everything.

They lost their family members, others have been incapacitated and all their properties have been destroyed. People should not fear that some of their areas will be taken over.

SLFP Senior Vice President and Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said,

"We are very happy that the TNA has taken a very realistic and practical approach towards North East development. The TNA had been very suspicious over the Government's initiatives and had always found fault with shortcomings.

We most welcome their new approach and decision to actively participate in the post conflict reconstruction efforts.

Vasudeva Nanayakkara, MP representing the DLF said,

"We are happy to note that the TNA have come forward to work together with the Government on developing the North and East. However, the question of resettlement will be an issue and therefore the Government should have concrete plans with a time frame of resettling the displaced in their original areas.

I have been informed by TNA members that some of the displaced who were given the green light to resettle in their own lands and houses in Jaffna district have not been permitted to do so. If such incidents continue to take place the whole effort will be futile. There has to be consistency and proper coordination to prevent such lapses.

In my view TNA members have now come forward to cooperate so the Government must maintain credibility".

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya MP, said

"It was vital to begin a dialogue with the TNA in restoring normal civilian life in the war torn North. It was equally important that all political parties present in the North take part in this dialogue.

"The UNP believes that there should be a mechanism to address unsettled conditions in the North and East, that there should be provisions to carry out normal life. In this direction the Government should engage with all political parties present in the North and East. This cannot be delayed".

Technology and Research Minister Tissa Vitharana representing the LSSP said, "We welcome this new development. It's a very good trend. The fact that the TNA is prepared to treat the interest of Tamils affected by war as top priority at a time the Government is making every effort to assist them will help Tamil people get the maximum out of the initiative to restore normalcy.

Readiness to constructively support the Government's effort to assist the Tamil people who have been displaced and suffered from the War is commendable".

Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka representing the JHU said,

"The TNA taking a decision to assist the Government in Northern development is in fact a good sign. But, it is paramount that they change their political ideologies. When ITAK was formed in 1949, it was based on a few principles. They recognised the North and East as the traditional homeland of Tamil people, upheld the right to self determination, and considered Tamils of Indian origin as an inseparable unit. They must accept the unitary character of this country.ITAK is opposing the resettlement of Sinhala and Muslims who were chased away from North before the conflict.

Nearly 150,000 Sinhala people and a same number of Muslims were chased away. The Tamils who were not in agreement with the LTTE separatist ideologies were also expelled.

According to the preferential system a Member of Parliament must at least obtain 70,000 votes to be elected to parliament. But the ITAK received 14 seats out of a mere 212,000 votes.

This is a very serious deformation in the democratic and demographic system. They should have got 3-4 seats according to proportionate system.