Ex Tigers to contest as 'Crusaders for Democracy'
by P.K. Balachandran
Former militants of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and
their supporters have decided to form a political party named "Crusaders
for Democracy" and seek tickets from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)
to contest the August 17 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections.
Militants and their supporters from the Northern and Eastern
districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya and
Batticaloa gathered outside the famous Nallur Kandswamy temple in Jaffna
on Friday (3) and took an oath to fight for the rights of the
Tamil-speaking people by democratic means, such as participation in
elections through a political party to be known as 'Crusaders for
Democracy.'
CFD's Coordinator, Nadesapillai Vithyatharan said, a request will be
made to the TNA to give nomination to at least two former militants in
each of the districts of the Northern and Eastern provinces where the
TNA holds sway. Among the aims of the CFD are: the establishment of a
new political culture and a new kind of Tamil leadership which will be
marked by honesty and courage; speedy implementation of rehabilitation
and livelihood programs; securing the release of Tamil political
prisoners; and building bridges with fair and accommodative political
elements and leaders in South Sri
Lanka with a view to securing an amicable political settlement of the
Tamil question.
However, despite its commitment to pursue the democratic path, the
CFD is not regretful about its past involvement with the LTTE. The press
release on its formation noted that Friday's gathering was held at the
place near the Nallur temple where "Thyagi" Thileepan of the LTTE fasted
unto death to secure the rights of the Tamils when the Indian Peace
Keeping Force held sway in Jaffna in 1987.
Athmalingam Ravindra alias Rupan, who had held high political and
administrative positions in the LTTE both in Trincomalee District and in
the Wanni from the early 1990s to May 2009, has already put in an
application for a TNA ticket in Trincomalee District.
-Indian Express |