Re-activating PTA welcome

Underworld thugs too will be controlled
 

Rajiv Hewavitarane, a Managing Director in a furniture manufacturing company welcomed the decision taken by the Government not to proscribe the LTTE, when the international community is extending its support to solve the crisis.

"We have to solve the matter through negotiations. Therefore the LTTE should not be proscribed. If it is proscribed, with whom are we to deal with in future," he asked.

A former banker, Gamini Gunawardene said proscribing the LTTE or re-activating the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is not the answer to solve the national crisis. Even after re-activating the PTA how many killings or crimes committed by the LTTE would take place?

"The best thing is, for the Government try to get the LTTE for a face to face dialogue even without the help of the international community and frankly asked about the problems faced by the Tamil people," he said.

Nimal Samaratunga of Panadura said "Re-activating the PTA is not a solution to this matter. The Government must first identify the common problems faced by the Tamil community and see whether any injustices had been perpetrated."

A 28-year-old private sector employee Sunimal Peris, said that he had spoken to an LTTE leader during his recent visit to Nallur. According to him, their organisation is fighting for a separate state and they will never give up that idea.

"Therefore, defeating them militarily is the best thing the Government could do. The Army should destroy the large haul of arms and other weapons," he said.

Nimalajan Seeladurai of Mutur said, "I propose a mini Parliament (not a Provincial Council) in the Northern District under the control of the Central Government and urge the LTTE and all other northern political parties to make representations"

"Then, the LTTE will definitely stop its ongoing activities," he said.

A 20- year old University student, Samantha Raja said that the Tigers cannot be tamed easily and welcomed the Government`s decision to introduce tough laws against the LTTE by re-activating the PTA. Gamini Perera of Nugegoda said some TNA Parliamentarians were against re-activating the PTA thinking that it was a threat to the Tamil people.

"But I feel it is only a threat to those violating the laws of the land," he said.

H. L. K. de Silva, Labour Supervisor of a public institution said that he welcomed re-activating the PTA as this would help to protect the lives of peace-loving Tamil population, especially those living in Colombo and the suburbs.

M.P. Gamini, a resident of Anuradhapura said "Actually this should have been done earlier when Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was killed by the LTTE. However, I appreciate the timely action taken by the Government even at this juncture.

Sarath Gunawardene of Pannipitiya said "Re-activating the PTA is not enough. The LTTE must be proscribed and condemned internationally, considering the murderous activities they have carried out so far. They killed former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Minister Gamini Dissanayake, MPs A. Amirthalingam, Neelan Tiruchelvam, Nadaraja Raviraj, security personnel Denzil Kobbekaduwa, Wijaya Wimalaratna, Parami Kulatunga and attempted to assassinate Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

A trishaw driver, R. Nimalratna said "I stand with the JVP and the JHU. The LTTE must be banned and thereafter their main base at Kilinochchi should be attacked for closing the irrigation canal `Mavil Aru' depriving water to thousands of civilians killing at least 100 civilians at Kebethigollawa and shelling bombs at a school last Thursday killing three children, a teacher and injuring nearly 20 children,".

Prasanna Silva of Rajagiriya said "Fighting for an imaginary state of Eelam is only a dream of Prabakaran, Therefore, the LTTE must be banned for the speech made him on Mahveer day".

A housewife, Nimali Pathirana said "I welcome the government's decision. The LTTE cannot be trusted. They cheated the Government twice in Geneva by giving false excuses which were not related to a political solution,".

A retired Railway Guard, Piyasena Ranawaka said proscribing the LTTE should be decided on by the Government. Let all political parties unite with the Government and discuss a suitable solution".

"However, reintroducing the PTA is good for the protection of the majority Tamils in comparison to a handful of terrorist," he said.

A resident of Kandy, P.T. Manju said, "Don't ban the LTTE, it will affect future talks. Therefore, the Tigers must be dealt with through the PTA."

Kamal Peris of Himbutana said "I welcome the Government's decision. The LTTE at least now should renounce violence and join the democratic path,".

20-year old Shantha Silva said, "I am against banning the LTTE. Although they were banned they attacked the Dalada Maligawa in 1998 and did not stop terrorism. Therefore the Government's initial step was good.

He also said the PTA has been in existence since 1979, but the problem still exists, therefore a political solution is absolutely essential to resolve the crisis."

A bus driver, Prem Rajakaruna said "What the JVP says is correct. The regulations in the PTA are not sufficient to defeat the LTTE militarily and ideologically. Therefore the CFA must be abolished and terrorists should be attacked from all corners."

Viraj Shantha of Bambalapitiya said "it is good that the Government has not taken a decision to proscribe the LTTE as demanded by the JVP and the JHU. The Government must take future decisions after consulting experienced parties like the UNP.

"I welcome the PTA, because it will help to wipe out terrorism as well as to control underworld thugs in the South, who are also behaving like the LTTE," he said.

Pix by Vipula Amarasinghe

[email protected]