Special address via satellite at SLFP propaganda rally:

President reiterates LTTE should be entered into democratic mainstream

PRESIDENT Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga yesterday reiterated that the LTTE should be entered into democratic mainstream to build national amity.

She said the proposed Tsunami Relief Council is the first step towards this end.

The President made this observations making a special address via satellite to a propaganda rally organised by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in Kandy last evening.

Rupavahini in its news cast last night said: "A leaflet containing a questionnaire to create awareness on the Proposed Tsunami Relief Council among the people was distributed in the city of Kandy yesterday.

Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage also spoke.

The President delivering a special address to the people who attended the rally via satellite said: The JVP which is claiming as a people's friendly party is of the view that how is the Government of sovereign people is acting in collaboration with a terrorist organisation like the LTTE.

The President questioned as to whether the JVP's people friendliness was only with the Sinhalese?

"Should we allow Tamils and Muslims to starve?" the President asked. She added that the people affected by the tsunami should be rescued.

This unison was to obtain the support of the suffering masses. The Government has the support of nine consequent parties. All communities are representing the Government. It has Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim MPs.

There are MPs who represent Tamil plantation workers. The JVP is also there. It has an extremist stand and it is a racist party, she said.

"The Government consists of all these parties. However, the LTTE who are representing a certain section of the Tamil population should also be engaged in this process if we agree or not." She said the LTTE is not representing the whole Tamil population.

"We know that a certain percentage of the Tamil population will vote for the LTTE if we conduct an election tomorrow. Therefore, their representation is essential if we like it or not," the President said.

She asked was there any thing wrong in working with such an organisation on behalf of the tsunami affected people.

They will not be granted any legal status. This arrangement is aimed at carrying out reconstruction activities in a two kilometre coastal area in the aftermath of the tsunami, she said.