Use and misuse of language

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has made a derogatory statement saying Poda Mahinda, Poda Gotabhaya, Poda Rishard, when he addressed a rally in support of General Fonseka in Vavuniya.

Presidential Advisor A.H.M. Azwer in a statement issued to the media, says it is an insult to the Tamil speaking people when you use the word Poda when addressing another person, leave alone using such uncultured word in public.

It is surely not becoming of a political leader to use such ugly epithets when addressing public gathering, he says. This unpleasant language used by Wickremesinghe has left a very bad taste and had exposed his true character before the Tamil people.

In one way, one should thank the person who is teaching Tamil language to Wickremesinghe for he has helped the Tamil people to understand the utter disregard he shows towards the Tamils and the Tamil language which has a rich and ancient culture of nearly 5,000 years, Azwer queries.