TNA’s separatist agenda comes to light

The separatist agenda of the former Tiger proxy TNA came to light when its parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran made a controversial speech at a political rally in Mannar last week.

Though the TNA had been controlled by former LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran from his Wanni jungle hideout, this is the first time that a TNA parliamentarian has openly talked about another armed struggle since terrorism was eradicated.

It is a serious statement by Premachandran, who as a Member of Parliament had taken an oath on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and to protect the Constitution of the country.

Premachandran, at TNA campaign rally held at the Mannar esplanade with the participation of all TNA candidates contesting for the NPC, including its chief ministerial candidate C.V. Vigneswaran, said the Tamil people can begin talks on a federal solution only if they have weapons.

“We can talk going even beyond that. If we don't have weapons we will get nothing,” he was quoted as saying. One could well imagine the true colours of the TNA when they had made such remark at the party’s maiden election rally for next month’s Northern Provincial Council elections. Parliamentarian Mavai Senthirajah too has attended the rally.

TNA parliamentarian P. Ariyanendran said, “The struggle to find a solution for the Tamil people's problems” was continued by Selva after which a full blown armed conflict ensued. “This was continued by leader Prabhakaran. But today, we live on without anything. It is your duty to vote for the TNA and ensure its victory to fight for Tamils’ rights and to get what we want. Vote for us and we will be able to get what we require,” he was quoted as saying.

The media with a sense of foreboding criticised the actions of the TNA at a time the country has achieved peace and freedom after eradicating 30 years of terrorism. Such irresponsible sentiments as those articulated by the TNA have again created doubt and fear among the peace loving people in this country.

Therefore, the public, especially the people in the North, should be extra careful of the sinister moves of the TNA in its lust for power. The masses should be aware of these efforts to be promoted in the future by these extremist political groups, through their political campaigns. The TNA is trying to push Tamils in the North back to those dark days, subjecting civilians to untold misery.

Muzammil warns CMC members

Mayor of Colombo A.J.M. Muzammil last week warned council members not to turn the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) into a fish market, after intense verbal exchanges ensued when the Mayor permitted to table a motion on the burning of several important documents of the CMC at Borella cemetery recently.

The motion, proposed by C. Chandrasena, was tabled with the consent of a majority 27 members of the CMC. “It is an act where public property has been destroyed. Hence, we request for an independent investigation to be conducted on this matter,” Chandrasena requested.

During the uproar, Mayor Muzammil validated the need for the debate on the burned documents saying that if that was not done, he and the CMC would be accused of protecting thieves and setting fire to the missing files.

President returns from Belarus

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was on a three-day official visit to Belarus returned to the country on Wednesday morning.

President Rajapaksa condemned the practice of certain countries for using the UN Human Rights Council against countries such as Sri Lanka and Belarus. “No country can maintain development without peace or peace without development,” President Rajapaksa said. President Rajapaksa also explained that after defeating terrorism, Sri Lanka has been able to achieve rapid economic progress. The meeting was held at the official residence of President Lukashenko on Monday afternoon. Sri Lanka and Belarus agreed to enhance cooperation in a number of sectors, including economic, trade, investment, education and technology.

Following the one-on-one talks between the two heads-of-state, the delegations of the two countries began their bilateral discussions at the President’s residence. During these discussions, President Lukashenko said that the principles of the Government of Belarus are based on social welfare and noted the importance of other countries to follow similar standards. Based on this belief, President Lukashenko said Belarus will be committed to enhancing relations with Sri Lanka in the areas of economic, trade and social sectors. Furthermore, while describing Belarus’ interest in entering joint ventures with Sri Lanka, President Lukashenko said Belarus would assist Sri Lanka in the area of technical development, including the automobile sector.

President Lukashenko expressed the importance of strengthening military and security cooperation between the two countries. While commending the leadership of President Lukashenko, President Rajapaksa noted that he is the first Sri Lankan leader to visit Belarus. Moreover, President Rajapaksa became the first head of state to reside at the new Presidential Hotel in the Belarus capital.

President Rajapaksa also requested Belarus to support Sri Lanka’s bid to obtain observer status at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Before conclusion of the bilateral discussion, President Rajapaksa extended an invitation to President Lukashenko to visit Sri Lanka, which he accepted.

During his visit, President Rajapaksa and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko presided over the signing ceremony of seven agreements and memorandums of understanding.

“The Sri Lankan President’s Belarus tour marks a new era of relations between the two countries. The two countries already share good relations. It can be further improved. Both countries have the right conditions to make this possible,” Belarus Prime Minister Myasnikovich said.

Chopper ride to BIA cancelled

The President was scheduled to take an SLAF helicopter to BIA, Katunayake to take his flight to Belarus last Sunday. But he changed his mind at the eleventh hour and opted to reach the airport by road.

He made use of his travel from the President’s House in Fort to Katunayake to inspect the new Airport Expressway which is to be opened next month. Hence the construction work of the new highway, which will cut down the travel time from the capital to BIA to 20 minutes, the President thought to make a special inspection tour.

When the presidential convoy reached Muthurajawela along the Airport Expressway from Peliyagoda, the President ordered his driver to stop the vehicle.

The President then got off his vehicle and inspected the final touches that are being made to the country’s second expressway.

He instructed the officials to expedite the construction work so that the Airport Expressway could be opened ahead of schedule. He then proceeded to the airport along the new highway, making a careful study of the stretch that connects the airport junction over the Colombo-Negombo highway.

On his return to the country on Wednesday, the President held the weekly Cabinet Meeting on Thursday. He then called the media secretaries of ministers for a special meeting.

“It is your duty to project the image of your respective ministries. Some of you allege that the publicity you get from state media is inadequate. But remember this. When I was the Minister of Labour, hardly any state media institute helped me. Then I told my then media unit to seek help of private media institutions, if they don’t get positive response from state media. That worked eventually,” the President said.

He told that the media secretaries should positively and use alternative methods through private media, without depending entirely on state media. The President then had lunch with the media secretaries at Temple Trees.

Pillay goes off track

Visiting UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay went off her provided schedule, much to the surprise of the special security personal assigned for her by the Government. Deviating from her official schedule, Pillay met a prominent Christian priest in the Trincomalee District.

The sudden change in plans was not notified to her security contingent, who were taken unawares. It was reported that the meeting had been arranged by the UN office in Colombo.

Discussions between her and the priest had lasted for nearly an hour after which she had left for Colombo. Accordingly, Pillay had met Rev. Fr. Y. Yogeshwaran, a prominent human rights activist of a Non-Governmental Organisation named Jesuits Academy-Foundation for Nonviolent Communication at Inner Harbour Road, Trincomalee.

It is learnt that the priest had handed over a report containing details of missing persons and highlighted four main points in the report. It is learnt that a copy of this particular report had earlier been handed over to the UN Rights Chief by Tamil National Alliance members. Pillay also held talks with Eastern Province Governor Mohan Wijewickreme and government agents in the province at the Governor’s office in Trincomalee. She had been briefed on the development activities in the area.

Meanwhile, the Dead and Missing Persons’ Parents’ Front representatives said that the UNHRC must study the atrocities perpetrated by the LTTE on the Tamil people during the entire three decades that they operated with impunity, and not just the last few months of conflict when efforts were made to eradicate terrorism from the country to guarantee human rights of all Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people.

They also stated that if they are able to forget the atrocities committed by the LTTE during the past 30 years, they have to forget the last few months and let the country move forward smoothly as it is happening today, after the eradication of terrorism since the people are living peacefully while their lives have returned to normal.

Representatives of thousands of members of the Dead and Missing Persons’ Parents’ Front, whose close relatives had been abducted or killed by the LTTE terrorists, made these observations at a press conference at Nippon Hotel last week.

PC election campaign in full swing

The Provincial Council election campaign is in full swing in North-Western and Central Provinces. The TNA too launched its campaign for the Northern Provincial Council elections with a controversial meeting in Mannar.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and Minister Maithripala Sirisena directed the police and the authorities on Monday to take immediate steps to remove the party symbols that are drawn on streets.

Minister Johnston Fernando too has been extremely busy with the UPFA’s election campaign in the North-Western Province. He has another special interest as his son Johan is contesting the election.

The minister was attending UPFA’s election meetings at Galgamuwa, Hettipola and Yapahuwa last Monday when Hambantota District parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa called Johnston. “Johnny aiya, I am now in Kandy. I will be coming there for dinner tonight,” he told Johnston.

“Namal, I am at Yapahuwa now. I will return no sooner the meeting is over,” he told the founder of Tharunyata Hetak youth movement. Namal had already arrived at Johnston’s residence in Kurunegala by the time the minister returned after election meetings. Namal was accompanied by parliamentarians Uditha Lokubandara, Manusha Nanayakkara and Indika Bandaranayake.

A special vegetarian meal was prepared to suit Namal who had plenty of things to share with Johnston’s two sons, Johan and Jerome who had been team mates when they were playing rugby at S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia.

Namal was shocked to see the massive crowds that had come to greet Johan. “There is a good crowd Johnny aiya. I think there are over five thousand. I feel Johan has a good public attraction,” Namal said.

Namal then opted to meet the massive crowd that had come to extend their wishers to Johnny’s eldest son.

Namal who spends this weekend in the Wayamba province, will address an election meeting in support of Dayasiri Jayasekera at Hettipola grounds today.

On Friday, Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi was the chief guest at a function held at Hettipola Town Hall to extend support to former UNP parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera who will be contesting the North-Western Provincial Council elections under the UPFA ticket.

Over 2,000 women, representing 14 electorates in the area, attended the meeting organised by the Kurunegala Women’s Forum. “Dayasiri is like an own brother for me. Our friendship is very old one.

He does not belong only to UNP, but also to the SLFP and to the entire country. I could see his popularity with the massive crowds that he has been attracting,” Pavithra said.

Sajith embarrassed

Former UNP Deputy Leader and Hambantota District parliamentarian has been conveniently taken out of the party’s nomination board and list of speakers for the Provincial Council elections. Even at a UNP district level meeting at Puttalam, presided over by patry senior and former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera, it was ordered that the UNP candidates should refrain from entertaining Sajith at their political meetings.

Joseph Michael has openly said that those who get down Sajith as a guest speaker would not be allowed to enter the counting centres as UNP representatives on the day of elections. Though Joseph Michael had subsequently denied reports, the UNP candidates who had been present at the meeting said that they received such a warning.

However, Kurunegala District parliamentarian Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, known to be a confidant of party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, made a strategic move by inviting Sajith for the opening of the UNP office at Mawathagama.

But Akila had to face a situation he never expected when the compeer introduced Sajith to the stage with too many adjectives - the stalwart who introduced Sasunata Aruna and Sahana Yathra and made an immense contribution to the betterment of the party and the most suitable person for the party leadership!

Sajith himself admitted that he was embarrassed. “I feel ashamed today. I came here help in these ventures. But spineless guys in the party stopped it. They did likewise when I tried to help people through Sahana Yathra when there were floods last time.

I regret that we could not help people due to these goons in the party,” Sajith said severel red faces emerged from the stage.

Akila calls Ranil

Reports said that Akila had immediately called Ranil and complained about Sajith’s statement had targeted him. Ever since, it has been the talk that is doing in the UNP circles.

Candidates of the United National Party (UNP) contesting the upcoming North-Western Provincial Council (NWPC) elections appear to be divided over the decision to not allow Sajith to take part in election meetings in the Kurunegala District.

Former Opposition Leader of the NWPC, Prasanna Senarath has said, the decision is a positive move for the betterment of the Party. However, certain other UNP candidates challenged his claim, saying that removing the rebel MP from the list of speakers would adversely affect their election campaign as Sajith is popular among the voters in the absence of Dayasiri.

The UNP candidates pointed out that the removal of Sajith from the list would lead to a decline in the number of participants at election meetings. They also said, they will hand over letters opposing the decision to the NWPC election group leader, Prasanna Senarath by today. The UNP earlier said that the most important thing in an election campaign is to get the people to election meetings, putting party before self.