Media and Information Minister says:

TNA sticks to separatist manifesto

M.P. Muttiah

*Minister asks UNP, JVP what they have got to say

*President asks supporters to refrain from violence

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had not withdrawn their 2002 and 2004 Election Manifestos, and what has the JVP and Sarath Fonseka got to say, asked Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa at a press conference held at the Government Information Department yesterday.

The Minister pointed out that the TNA in its elections manifestos put forward four important points: Recognition of Tamils as a distinct nationality, establishing a Tamil homeland, rights to self-determination and fundamental rights etc. They did not withdraw the above demands. Therefore, the Minister said the JVP and Fonseka should answer whether the TNA withdrew their demands.

He said in 2005 Ranil Wickremesinghe, R.Sampandan and Mano Ganeshan joined hands together. Wickremasinghe signed a CFA with the LTTE, Rauf Hakeem signed an agreement with the LTTE, Mano Ganeshan too was on the band wagon of the LTTE. Sambandan and the TNA acted as a proxy of the LTTE. Ranil never used the word LTTE but only bombers.

The Minister said Fonseka was tarnishing the image of the country around the world.

The Minister answering a question on a video film cited by Philip Alston, United Nations special rapporteur on extra judicial killings said that anyone can use video tapes as they like.

Minister Yapa claimed that the Opposition speakers use unethical language in their speeches.

Answering a question on election violence he said the Government did not want violence and they come only from the Opposition. He pointed out any one can criticize but it should be done in a decent way.

The Media and Information Minister said the President had given strict instructions to his supporters not to resort to violence.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa wants the election to be peaceful, he said.

Referring to cross overs, Yapa said if this is done on the basis of the policies it could be accepted. But crossing over for other reasons is unfortunate.

The Minister emphasized the need to have a Campaign Finance Act to eliminate bribery and corruption.