Solution for Tamils issues hinges on President's victory

Sharp political leadership won the war:

M.P. Muttiah

The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) yesterday declared its support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming Presidential Elections.

EPDP leader, Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda told a press conference at the Information Department, said that in the present political context, none other than President Mahinda Rajapaksa could be supported by the people with confidence and hope.

The EPDP leader pointed out that it is only by ensuring the President's victory at the Presidential Election, the Tamil speaking people could move towards a solution to their problems, thus that decide their own destiny.

Devananda said his party had decided to support President Rajapaksa on the basis of a realistic, pragmatic, achievable and implementable Ten Point Program. He added that this program had been submitted to President Rajapaksa and his response was positive.

He said President Rajapaksa had a long political history. No problem could be solved fully during the first term of office. They could be solved only during the second term.

Answering a question on the contribution of the former army chief in winning the war, Devananda said it was the political maturity and guidance of President Rajapaksa that led to the victory.

He added that Fonseka failed to attain victory at Muhamalai because there was no political leadership. He had a different opinion when in uniform and has changed it now, he said.

Even Fonseka's predecessor or even the present army chief would have certainly won the war if there was proper political leadership, Devananda said.

The Minister said the people of the North would face four elections this year. Presidential Election, General Election, Local Government Elections as well as the Provincial Council Election.

He emphasized the need to create suitable condition for President Rajapaksa to implement the 13th Amendment.

Answering a question whether the President accepted the 13th Amendment, Devananda said he had already put forward 13 plus. "We can't allow only the President to carry the responsibility," said Devananda. Local Government Elections and Provincial Council Elections would be held after resettlement, he said.

The EPDP leader said some of the recent activities of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had indicated a change. Although it was once the proxy of the LTTE, now they think otherwise. They have learned lessons from the past errors. TNA parliamentarians have begun to adopt an amiable attitude towards the government.

He added that there were no political leadership in the North. With regard to the North-East merger, the Minister said it was up to the people and time to decide.

With regard to the talks with the TNA, the Minister said he was ready for it and contradictions could be solved at the negotiation table.