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| Sunday, 21 March 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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The Battle of the Diyawanna by VIDUSHAKA Defiance in the face of Karuna's threats Two weeks more for the elections and almost all the contesting parties released their election manifestos by last week. The ceremonial launching of the Freedom Alliance Manifesto was the much talked of event throughout the week. Girls clad in red and blue sarees were giving a traditional welcome to the invitees, when they entered the SLFI Auditorium which had been converted into an ultra modern surrounding. The launching function of the UNF manifesto on Tuesday at the Jayewardene Cultural Centre was like a usual press briefing of the party and the organisers had been blamed by party members questioning them "Do you accept defeat at the elections even before it was held?" Duplicity is the most suitable word to explain the latest move of the UNF Government. The UNF Cabinet spokesman at a previous Cabinet briefing told the media that the conflict within the LTTE should be solved by themselves and politicians in the South need not make efforts to solve it. However, a weekend national newspaper revealed how a one time UNF Parliamentarian had made unsuccessful approaches to have direct contact with the rebel leader Karuna. Anyhow, UNF's overtures to establish a link with Karuna's faction were fruitless and had been asked to meet the political wing members. The same newspaper also revealed that the UNF Leadership had appealed to Norwegian special envoy Erik Solheim to use the good offices of the Norwegians to patch up the rivalry of Pirabhakaran and Col. Karuna. According to the weekly, the Government has also urged the Norwegian facilitators to talk to both parties. It was the UNP policy of pretending to the World that they remain neutral over the issue, but taking action underhand. Karuna's ego which emerged at an unexpected moment may be the beginning of the end for Pirabhakaran'a personality cult. But, some were heard to say that Karuna cannot prevail over the LTTE leadership and the LTTE leadership has enough chances to prevail over Karuna. Instead of realizing this truth, if the UNF is trying to feed the Tigers making them strong enough to attack us back that is the most pathetic gift a country can receive from its own power hungry politicians. Further, UNF spokesman again in a press briefing said that a caretaker government had no authority to attend to the salary anomaly problem of the Government Medical Officers. But, at the same time, the spokesman was pledging that the government would redress farmers' grievances by reducing the interest rates on loans taken by farmers. TNA candidates in the East are in a dilemma as to how to engage in the campaign taking whose directives, Pirabhakaran's or Karuna's. They know that it is dangerous to break the links with the LTTE leadership and at the same time they are not in a position to ignore the new Eastern leader Karuna. Though the Tamils wish the TNA to be democratic leaving aside all the armed gangs, the TULF Vice President and the TNA candidate Joseph Pararajasingham has refused to heed breakaway new Eastern leader Col. Karuna's directives. It shows that the TNA which accepted the LTTE as `sole representatives' of the Tamils still seeks the LTTE's assistance to win the elections. TNA also wants all registered voters, living in LTTE held areas to get an opportunity to exercise their franchise at the elections , even if they don't bring their National identity cards.However, the general public question the TNA as to why they can't avoid both Pirabhakaran and Karuna and genuinely represent the Tamils in Parliament. |
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