Only present Govt can find a solution - TULF Leader

Rafik Jalaldeen and Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

COLOMBO: TULF leader V. Anandasangaree declared yesterday that it was only the present Government which was capable of finding a viable solution to the current conflict that would satisfy all communities.

Fielding questions by Daily News journalists following an informal discussion at Lake House, the veteran politician said: "The country cannot be separated, we are one nation and now is the best time to find a solution."

Anandasangaree also stressed that the LTTE knew it would lose the support of the international community if the outfit did not come to the negotiating table. "The LTTE is not interested in negotiations and a peaceful solution," he said.

He suggested that the Government should propose a solution that would be endorsed by the international community which the LTTE would be unable to reject.

"When an accepted solution is presented nobody can object to it," he pointed out.

Anandasangaree said as one time MP for Kilinochchi he witnessed first hand how freedom was

eroded. "I have a good knowledge of the place and people are not free there. No one is aware of the real situation," he said.

He observed that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was not aware of the true situation since the people respect the white skin and welcomed them, which makes them think that the people are happy.

Anandasangaree said the Ceasefire Agreement has given legitimacy to the LTTE's illegal acts. "The Ceasefire Agreement allows the LTTE to carry out its conspiracies and we have no way of entering the area," he stressed.

He held up the Indian model as an example of multi-ethnic governance. "The head of the state is a Muslim and the Prime Minister is a Sikh in a Hindu majority nation." He said India will never allow separation and the Sri Lankan Government can adopt the same system as a solution.

He also dwelt on the journalists' responsibility.

"Journalism is a sacred profession and journalists should endeavour to build communal harmony and a moderate society in which task most of the Tamil journalists have failed. They should be honest and not suppress the truth," he said underlining the duty of a journalist.

He urged the press to disseminate news in such a manner that it would reach a broader segment of readers. The national newspapers should concentrate on news promoting national interest and the process of building a better society, he said.