Tamil political parties must support President - Minister

Uditha Kumarsinghe and Irangika Range

National Integration Minister Vinayagamorthi Muralitharan yesterday stressed the importance of all Tamil political parties acting in unison with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to gain the rights of the Tamil community.

"The President has clearly stated that he is ready even to go further than the 13th Amendment to provide a lasting solution to the ethnic problem. Therefore all Tamil Political parties should make use this golden opportunity to rebuild the livelihood of the Tamil community which was completely destroyed due to three decades of LTTE terrorism," he said.

TNA's decision to participate in the recent All Party Committee Development and reconciliation deliberations following a request made by the President is a very positive development on the part of the TNA.

At present the fear created among the TNA MPs have been eliminated due to eradication of LTTE terrorism," he said.

"The TNA should forget petty differences. The negotiations are the most fruitful way which would enable to sort out the problems faced by the Tamil community," he said.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of Tamil political parties joining hands with a key national political party like the SLFP.

"It would facilitate the winning the rights of Tamils. Therefore steps should be taken to promote SLFP policies among the Tamil community.

He said Tamil political parties should discuss with President rather than go to foreign countries making various statements. This is the ideal way to discuss the problems faced by the Tamil Community", he said.

"The Emergency is not a regulation imposed against the Tamil Community. It is not only in the North and East but also within the entire country.

"Even the security of the TNA MPs have been ensured due to the imposition of the emergency regulations," Minister Muralitharan said.