nDeputy Minister tells TNA:

Act wisely, resolve Tamil question

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Deputy Minister of Justice and Law Reform V. Puthrasigamani has called upon the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to act wisely to bring an early solution to the Tamil question, instead of behaving in a silly manner like boycotting Parliament and carrying out meaningless propaganda meetings.

The Deputy Minister thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the three Armed Forces for their invaluable contribution to bring a lasting solution to the three-decade-old war and commended the President's statement in Parliament that there was only one nation in the country and no majority or minorities. He said the Government must take speedy measures to resettle over 200,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

"The Government must first construct houses, schools and provide other major infrastructure facilities for IDPs and thereafter the IDPs must be provided agricultural equipment and fishing gear to improve their livelihood."Minister Puthrasigamani also expressed his displeasure over the TNA Parliamentary group's boycott of Parliament on that historic occasion when President Rajapaksa addressed the nation. He said the TNA MPs should tell the public,the reason for them boycotting Parliament on that historic day.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that at a time when the war situation came to an end, the APRC should present their proposals. He said the UNP is willing to provide the Government the necessary votes to approve it in Parliament.

The UNP General Secretary also stressed the need of resettling IDPs in their native villages as early as possible.

National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Chairman Jagath Wellawatta paid tribute to the three Armed Forces and the police for their bravery which helped to wipe out terrorism from the country.

He said according to recent research conducted by the NCPA, over 5,000 children are living in IDP welfare camps and steps have already been taken to deploy officials to look into their mental and physical status.