President tells Tamil political parties:

Co-operate with Govt to solve problems of Tamils

President Mahinda Rajapaksa called upon all political parties representing the Tamil people to unite with him to grant the democratic rights to the people of Jaffna.

He said so when representatives of Tamil political parties met him at Temple Trees on March 26 to discuss the present situation in the North.

It was revealed at the meeting that the TNA refrained from participating in it due to pressure from the terrorists.

If there is a genuine love for the Tamil people all political parties representing them should attend this meeting which had been convened to discuss about their welfare, said the President.

Speaking further, the President called upon the LTTE to release the innocent Tamil civilians held hostage by them.

Though they claim to be liberators of the Tamil people they never defended them, the President added.

He also said that his objective is to grant all rights to the Tamil people in the North and establish democracy there in the not too distant future.

The meeting also discussed the facilities provided to the civilians arriving from LTTE controlled areas. PLOTE representatives pointed out that there are provisions sufficient for three months in the area and that the people are commending the services rendered by the Security Forces.

TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree said a large number of civilians are still in the area dominated by the LTTE.

Minister Douglas Devananda also confirmed that there are provisions sufficient for about three months in the area.

The following parties All Ceylon Muslim Congress, Ceylon Democratic Unity Alliance, Eelam People’s Democratic Party, National Congress, National Unity Alliance, Pathmanabha Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal, Upcountry People’s Front, Democratic People’s Front, Tamil United Liberation Front and People’s Liberation Organisation Tamil Eelam were present at the discussion.