Jaffna GA refutes JVP allegations

Jaffna GA Imelda Sukumar refutes an allegation by JVP MP Vijitha Herath that Jaffna district is under Army rule. Sukumar said that this is a false, unwanted allegation and that there is no truth in the MP’s remarks.

Imelda Sukumar

Sukumar said that the public service in the Jaffna district is functioning independently without any interference or hindrance from the security forces or the Police. The security forces help the civil administration whenever any request is made by the Government Agent, she said.

‘The security forces coordinate their activities with us in implementing several development projects. If not for their cooperation and whole-hearted support it would have been difficult for the civil administration to clear the land mines in the High Security Zones (HSZs) in Jaffna and to settle 17,000 people in the HSZ within a very short period, she said.

Sukumar further said that services rendered by the Army’s engineering unit helped her as GA to resettle smoothly these people in a peaceful manner.

When asked whether the Security Forces and the Police are interfering in the independent civil administration, she answered in the negative. They never interfere in the civil administration.

Only when I, as the GA make a request they willingly come and help in the civil administration.

Sukumar further said that the two TNA MPs Mavai Senathiraja and Suresh Premachandran were very impressed with the resettlement project conducted successfully by the civil adminstration in the high security zone.

Sukumar also said that the services extended by the police in maintaining law and order and protecting the innocent civilians is praiseworthy. “They also conduct awareness programmes to reduce domestic violence and other petty misunderstandings among the people in a very friendly manner,” she said.

Today there is tremendous cooperation and friendly understanding between the public and armed forces. This has helped create a peaceful environment in the Jaffna district.

She said that she is disturbed and distressed in the manner how the Diaspora is acting to create communal tension in our country with a selfish motive so that they can continue to enjoy refugee status abroad and live luxurious lives abroad.

GA Sukumar said a JVP MP should not make such totally incorrect statements without verifying whether the facts are correct.