TNA spurned many chances to find a peaceful solution

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which is clamouring for police, and land powers for the Northern Provincial Council today, had rejected a package offered by the Chandrika Bandaranaike Government that went beyond the powers of the Provincial Councils, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Minister Douglas Devananda said. Though the TNA is demanding those powers under the 13th Amendment today they spurned many chances to find a peaceful solution to the problem through negotiations with successive Governments, as they were mortally afraid of the Tiger terrorists.

Minister Devananda was addressing public meetings in the Manipay electorate in the Jaffna district this week.

“Today the TNA and Tamil Political Leaders in the Opposition are making a big hue and cry over Police and Land powers for the Provincial Council to rouse people’s feelings for their own benefits.

Therefore, we must not cease ongoing development due to these emotional and provocative speeches” the Minister said.

Minister Devananda said that the problems that went on for years were now being resolved and those which were raised by the people at present would be amicably resolved soon.

He called upon the people to take serious note of the fact that, despite the TNA’s long parliamentary representation in the past, and running the administration in about 20 Local bodies in the North and the East and most of the Pradeshiya Sabhas being under their control they had been unable to find solutions for the people’s problems.

The fact that they are now coming to us seeking solutions to their problems, proves the TNA’s incapacity to deliver. He called upon people to vote the UPFA candidate to power, to get the people’s problems re- solved efficiently and effectively through the Northern Provincial Council.