‘UNP violated constitution by carrying Tiger flag’

It is an act of violation of the constitution to directly or indirectly help divide the country, UPFA National List MP A H M Azwer said.

‘The UNP by carrying the Tiger flag at the procession in their May Day rally in Jaffna, has brazenly violated the constitution, he said in a statement. He said the LTTE too was a proscribed party and no political activities could be carried on by them.

‘The Oath of Allegiance taken by all MPs and Government officials for that matter clearly states thus:

“I, .... do solemnly declare and affirm that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and that I will not, directly or indirectly, in or outside Sri Lanka, support, espouse, promote, finance, encourage or advocate the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka.”

‘The UNP has unashamedly and unconstitutionally given patronage for the ‘Koti Handa’ and even permitted the banned party to carry their Tiger flags in the UNP procession.

‘The UNP has therefore violated the provision of the constitution and had thereby given the belief that they support the division of the country. This cannot be tolerated by any citizen of the country. I have no doubt that all right thinking UNPers would strongly take exemption to this unpatriotic and anti-national behaviour.

‘This incident is a coincidence when M Karunanidi from across the Palk Staits declaring his wish to create an Ealam in our sovereign land, the UNP here was ‘Waving the Tiger Flag.’ Being an Octogenarian, Karunanidi seems to be suffering from amnesia. When Babri Mosque in Ayodha was destroyed, he kept mum, but now he speaks about a Dambulla Mosque affair that he condemns.

‘Karunanidi is dreaming of the demolition of a mosque.

‘I appeal to the Muslim friends of Tamil Nadu not to fall prey to the utter mischievous utterances of Karunanidi.

‘As Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa quite rightly said, let Karunanidi establish an Ealam, if he can in Tamil Nadu, at his will, but definitely not in our motherland, MP Azwer said.