‘If TNA were wise’
Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small
Enterprise Development stated that the Tamil National Alliance had
rejected to participate in the Parliamentary Select Committee which was
not at all a wise decision. However, if they took part in it, it would
facilitate finding a solution to the political rights of the Tamil
speaking people within a considerably short period of time, added the
Minister.
The Minister said so, at a meeting held at the Kayts New Pradeshiya
Sabha building after having declared it open recently. Speaking further
the minister said that in a democratic country, people were blessed with
the freedom to express their own views. However, such utterances should
be aimed at the progress of the country but not to its retrogression.
Despite this, some ill-meaning politicians were engaged in activities
against the society and the government, making use of the freedom of
speech.
Elucidating his point of view further, the minister said that he and
his party were having discussions with the government not for
decentralization of power but for delegation of power to the Tamil
speaking people in accordance with the 13th amendment to the
constitution and move forward step by step for a political solution to
the political rights of the Tamil speaking people, causing confidence in
their Sinhala brethren that delegation of power would not separate the
country but in fact would strengthen its unitary state.
The Minister also said that the Tamil National Alliance was having
talks with the government without any confidence and such a situation
would never pave way for arrival of a solution to their problem.
However, as it was the wish of the TNA to continue with their selfish
political game, they were continuing to do so, the minister added. The
minister also said that he had the confidence that through a
Parliamentary Select Committee, a lasting solution to the political
problem of the Tamil speaking people could be arrived at and those above
35 years would be considered for employment in the projects now in
progress.
The Governor, said that the President is of the opinion that the
situation of the North should be the same as that prevailing in the
South. the President was also very much concerned about the development
of the war affected areas.
Ilangovan, the Private Secretary to the Governor and Dayananda,
Private Secretary to the Minister also participated in this meeting.
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