TNA’s negative mindset tramelling discussions - President

* Not obliging by naming nominees to PSC

* TNA getting instructions from abroad

Rasika SOMARATNE

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has been requested to name their nominees for the Parliamentary Select Committee, which will be entrusted with formulating a solution to the grievances of communities. However, the TNA has so far not obliged.

‘They are proving to be as difficult as the LTTE in talks, adopting the same negative tactics, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the monthly breakfast meeting with newspaper Editors at Temple Trees yesterday.

He further said that the government has no problems with the TNA, but the TNA had a mindset problem. “They yet have a war mentality, this is getting in the way when talking to the government. They must get out of this, which is entirely shaped by the past” he added.

He said that during the conflict there was no one in the North who wasn’t swayed by the LTTE and added that even today there are parties in the North that are intent on rousing communalism.

The President went on to say that the TNA is getting instructions from abroad and this was a considerable obstacle when it came to conducting fruitful negotiations with the government.

He also noted that an outstanding demand of the TNA for police powers to the North and East is not a practicable proposition.

He pointed out that such an arrangement was causing problems in India, for instance, where during a law and order crisis, the Indian centre has to liaise with the State Chief Ministers and this gets in the way of the centre in solving law and order problems in the states concerned quickly.

Clarifying issues further External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the TNA has called for an international investigation into the issues raised by the conflict. “The TNA is the only party to do so and it should be evident that this could pave way for international interference in Sri Lanka’s issues” he added.

Minister Peiris pointed out that even Lakshman Kiriella of the UNP had called for a probe on issues but it was not for an international one but for an internal one. “That the TNA is calling for an international probe is a matter for profound regret” he added.

He further said that the issues would be probed by the government, if there is evidence that the alleged irregularities took place.

The minister pointed out that an extensive census of the Northern population is carried out by the government and this is being finalised.

When asked from the President whether some parties had approached him seeking a pardon for Sarath Fonseka, he explained that there was nothing new in people approaching him for a pardon for convicted persons.

He said that there is a procedure to be followed in obtaining a presidential pardon for a person who has been found guilty and imprisoned and this procedure can be resorted to. President Rajapaksa said that this has been already mentioned by him.

The President in a lighter vein noted that, there was no need to conduct a public opinion poll for this purpose. “If the poll results are sent to the US President he would send them back to me for a decision” he added.

When asked whether the President could not use his discretion in this matter and grant a pardon, he said that he could be accused of acting arbitrarily like a dictator.

When asked about the COPE findings with regard to failed state institutions, the President said that these revelations would be investigated and those responsible for the decline of those organisations would be held accountable.

With regard to ‘Mihin Lanka’ he said that it is a budget airline and a service-oriented one.

“Thus it cannot be closed, just because it has financial problems” he said. With regard to the LLRC report, President Rajapaksa said that it was the intention of the government to conduct a series of workshops to clarify issues in it and to indicate what it intends doing about it.

In connection with some of the issues highlighted in the report the President noted that the government could only act if evidence is put forward about them. “We cannot act on hearsay,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that the government needs a strong Opposition which can give a neck to neck fight to the government.

He was of the view that the issue with regard to the UNP leadership should not have happened in the party. “However, the party has elected a leader who should unite the party in order to give a fight to the government”, he added. He added that the UNP has elected a leader who is entrusted with a responsibility of uniting the party.