Unscrupulous elements in TNA blocking path to political settlement - Anandasangaree

By Manjula Fernando

In an interview with the Sunday Observer TULF leader and former parliamentarian V.Anadasangaree said certain unscrupulous elements in the TNA were blocking the path to a political settlement to the issues of the Northern Tamils.

“If we initiated a process during the CHOGM we could have found a way out or at least an opening to carry forward a process,” he said denying the branding by LTTE supporters that he is a traitor. “I am not against my community. I am against these rascals who are riding on the woes of our people to launch other agendas that they have in mind.”

Question: Why do you say the Canadian PM made a mis-judgment when he suspended contributions to the Commonwealth Fund in protest of Sri Lanka's chairmanship?

A: You have to view this from two angles, the first mistake was made when Canada decided to boycott the CHOGM conference held in Colombo. The second mistake was made when they did not raise the issues during the Meeting here. Prime Minsiter Steven Harper could have attended and raised the issue here. But it was not done.

I don't think we will ever have a better opportunity than the CHOGM to discuss this matter. The inaugural forum consisted of 54 countries and even British Prime Minister David Cameron was here.

Canada and India made a mistake by boycotting the summit. They should have come. If Prime Minister Steven Harper raised the subject, President Mahinda Rajapaksa would have agreed to answer their concerns.

Our ‘great leaders’ like Sampanthan could have brouhgt it to the notice of the diaspora. The only objective of the diaspora is to punish the Sri Lankan President. They have hardly any time for Tamil people's problems. the Tamil diaspora has mislead the British PM. War crimes charges are their call and they are free say what they like. But the problems that have remained for 40 years need to be addressed. None of these diaspora organisations have spoken about these legitimate issues with the British or Canadian Prime Ministers.

Q: You think it was a mistake by the TNA to have boycotted the CHOGM?

A: Our 'great TNA leaders' had a ‘Gamarala theory’ to waste the golden opportunity given to approach the world leaders at their doorstep. Some ‘smart’ members in the TNA wanted to get the international attention by boycotting the CHOGM. They had a ‘hartal of a sort’ for five days from November 15 – 20.

That is the period all the delegations were in Sri Lanka. It was a foolish decision. I kept on writing to them describing the ground situation, not the twisted picture the diaspora is portraying. Although I did not hold any office, I did it as a concerned citizen.

I have been branded as a traitor by the LTTE supporters. The latest allegation is that, I am sandwiched between the Government and LTTE supporters. I am not worried about such claims. I am worried that a political settlement is getting delayed due to the TNA's questionable behaviour and short -sighted decisions.

If we initiated a process during the CHOGM we could have found a way out or at least an opening to carry forward a process that will ultimately deliver a settlement to the remaining issues. Some mad fellows in Tamil Nadu campaigned against the Indian Prime Minister's attendance.

I said in my letter to Harper if you try to punish the President of our country by pulling out funds, you are mistaken and if at all, it is the people who will suffer as a result. I also said that he and the Indian Prime Minister missed a golden opportunity to help the Tamil people by making their presence at the CHOGM and raising this matter with the Government.

For those who say it was not the correct forum to raise such issues, I like to respond that if world leaders approached our President on a bi-lateral note, he would have agreed to discuss the matter.

I am not against my community. I am against these rascals who are riding on the woes of our people to launch other agendas that they have in mind.

Q: You think the Canadian decision to suspend funding will affect the people in the Northern region?

A: I do not know if the Canadian government is influenced by some diaspora crowd who think in different terms. During the past year there were at least ten different conferences held in France, Germany, London. I was not invited for any one of them.

Do you think they are honest in finding a solution to our problem. If the diaspora is interested in knowing the truth, they should speak to me, why would they brandish people who speak the truth and have a genuine interest in solving these issues. If anyone at all, it will be the people who will be affected by such a decision.

I am entitled to make my comment and I say some TNA members are ruining the country and also the chances of finding a fair solution to genuine problems of our community.

Q: Are you against the idea that South Africa should play the role of mediator to find a solution for the remaining issues of Tamils? And going to South Africa will be a bad decision as far as India is concerned?

A: Yes I am of that opinion. Don't forget that India is our closest neighbur. When there is a crisis situation, our closest neighbour will come to our rescue first.

Q: What if someone argues that South Africa will be an independent mediator sans any interests in Sri Lanka, whereas India is not?

A: If you leave someone for better perks and turn back realising the mistake, you will never be welcome by the former thereafter. Who can vouch that this will not happen to us. The TNA has antagonized India. Sampanthan can fool himself but not the Indians. India will not support a settlement mediated by South Africa.

After announcing the support for Sarath Fonseka at the last presidential election, they left for Delhi for consultations. I asked them, why they wanted to got to India after taking the decision. Likewise they have now taken a stand, at the risk of losing India.

The Indian Congress government is on the verge of losing the election, I think the TNA's actions were partly responsible for this. The Indian Government has to satisfy Tamil Nadu. When India takes a neutral stand in Geneva in March, a decision I would say is correct, the Tamil diaspora criticises it and says that ‘India has stabbed us in the back'.

The TNA goes to Delhi and comes back, then make a trip to the US to meet Rudrakumar and then to Germany to meet that foolish 'father'. What was the need for them to meet Rudrakumar? In India Sampanthan says he wants the Indian model. I said if that is what you want why not get together and discuss. Many Ministers are supportive of a solution, banking on the Indian model.

Q: What will be in store for Sri Lanka if a new government led by the BJP is elected as predicted in political circles?

A: I am still hopeful that Congress will come back to power, or some other group will come back to power with the support of the Congress. I don't think the Congress will be completely ousted.

Q: The efforts to revive the Parliamentary Select Committee to find solutions to remaining issues of minorities has not been fruitful so far. Your comments?

A: The Government is adamant that TNA must get back to the discussion table, it is not going to work if you expect a government to come down on their stand.

If both parties take a tough stand, a settlement will be a distant dream. Therefore, I think the others must reach up and say ‘ok we are ready, now let us discuss the parameters, the framework on which we are going to discuss'.

It should be a solution fair by all communities. We cannot say some can draw water from a particular well but others cannot. I am a strong champion of fundamental rights. I champion severe punishment for those who violate it.

Q: Do you think it's time that TNA evolves itself and make way for the younger generation to take over ?

A: The TNA made a mistake by bringing in certain younger elements. Sampanthan brought in a person who had no history in politics.

He went to India and made a statement that Prabhakaran is alive. The next day the Army arrested people in Trincomalee. He paid tribute to Prabhakaran in Parliament.

The revival of the LTTE is done by MP Sridharan and no one else. The country was quiet, then all of a sudden the Government arrested 60 people, all because some mad fellow started talking nonsense.

Q: What is your view on the resolution passed in the Northern Provincial Council recently against the Government's decision to ban 16 diaspora organisations?

A: This is the work of some uncouth elements in the TNA who have no idea of what happened in the past, the millions tears that were shed in this regard. How many funerals have we attended. So many things have happened. Those were the worst years of my life. We don't want to go back to that era. When they bring some filthy resolution, Chief Minister C.V.Vigneswaran called for a correction.

If given a free hand, he will do a good job. He will not allow them to guide him. Sampanthan is a clever man, but unfortunately, he is being led by those who are only worried about their seat.

There is nothing wrong with the Chief Minister or the Provincial Council. If he is allowed a free hand, he will guide them in the right path.