TNA under fire

by P.Krishnaswamy

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) election campaigns in the eastern province calling upon the people to give their mandate to have the government punished by the international community came under fire from all UPFA constituents running for the September 8 PC polls. They said that the TNA call is unethical, anti-national and undemocratic .

Minister of National Languages and National Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara whose Socialist Alliance (SA) is contesting the polls on the UPFA’s betel symbol said that the trend among the people of all three communities in the province is in favour of the government. The TNA propaganda seeking the people’s mandate to punish the government indicates that they have not distanced themselves from their separatism ideology which is not only against the government’s concept of a unitary state but it also sows the seeds of civil conflict.

The Tamil-speaking people of the East have rejected their separatism ideology and do not want the country’s sovereignty being put to scrutiny before any international arena, he said. The people have their bitter experience of the three-decade long unrest, turbulence and untold sufferings, he said. Even those among the Tamils who do not support the the government’s policies desire a unified Sri Lanka with power devolved on a peripheral basis. They only insist on mutual respect among communities, dignity and security, Minister Nanayakkara said.

Ex.Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council Thurayappa Navaratnarajah, a candidate of the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) that is contesting on the UPFA’s betel symbol said that the TNA leaders have the reputation of having deceived the Tamils for 62 long years, misleading them and causing them untold sufferings and losses. One day they will have to answer for their colossal historical and political blunders. The Tamils were affected extremely in every aspect and they are lagging behind economically and socially.

They need development and livelihood facilities. By joining hands with the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and holding power in the Eastern PC, the TMVP has been able to address these issues to some extent.

The central government has already implemented several mega development projects for the province. But more has to be done, Navaratnarajah said.

The TMVP has come to an understanding with President Rajapaksa on providing a new life, new path and new land for their social and economic well-being. If the TNA is genuinely interested in the social and economic welfare of the Tamils, they should join hands with the government instead of talking about the international community. They should give up all rhetoric about “Eelam”, Navaratnarajah said.

A.M. Riyaz, a candidate of the National Congress (NC), led by Minister A.L.M. Athaullah, that is contesting on the UPFA’s betel symbol said that the TNA and some other Muslim political parties are trying to portray the government as anti-Tamil for their political mileage.

Since the establishment of a separate PC for the Eastern province in May 2008, much has been done for the social and economic betterment of the Tamil-speaking people. People have benefited from these development-oriented projects and it is likely that the government will get an overwhelming mandate, he said.

A.C. Nijamudeen, a candidate of the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) led by Minister Rishad Bathuideen, that is contesting on the betel symbol of the UPFA said that people have enjoyed the fruits of the Eastern PC. They are aware that the Government already implemented many development projects and many more projects are in the pipeline. Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya recently launched the Deyata Kirula annual development program in Ampara and Batticaloa. In the run up to the polls, certain elements tried to damage the image of the government by attacking and damaging mosques and temples.