Rajapaksa Govt, strongest ever Govt in Lanka’s history - Former
Hindu Editor N Ram
Gamini Jayalath after Indian tour
There was no government so strong as the one led by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa and no government with such strength as the present one, said
the former Editor of The Hindu newspaper N Ram.
He said what the TNA (Tamil National Alliance) should do is to extend
their full support to President Rajapaksa to find a lasting solution to
ethnic issue.
Ram said the TNA leadership was silent when the LTTE leadership was
acting in similar fashion to the Pol Pot group. They remained silent
until the LTTE was defeated. They did all what the LTTE commanded of
them and today, as the LTTE has been destroyed by the war, the TNA
should use the political freedom for the benefit of the entire country.
Hence, the TNA leaders should join hands with the President and support
the Government in finding a lasting solution to the ethnic issue.
“In 1987, the LTTE declared war against the Indian Peace Keeping
Force. In 1991, they assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
This resulted in the people of India distancing themselves from the LTTE.
The LTTE lost any rapport and sympathy the y enjoyed up to then with
India,” he pointed out.
”Today, the Indian people and especially people in Tamil Nadu have
expressed their dislike towards the LTTE.
When a group of Sri Lankan Media personnel went over to the Asian
Training Centre for Journalists in India, former Hindu Editor Ram
disclosed these facts to them.
However, Ram underscored the fact that the people of Tamil Nadu are
of the view that the ethnic issue needs a strong political solution.
“The statement attributed to former Chief Minister Karunanidhi who
led the Toso Conference that there should be a referendum to resolve the
Tamil issue was only a political statement and no Tamil politician in
Tamil Nadu was keen on that, “Ram said.
“Indian Peace Keeping Force Commander Lt. Gen. Digendra Singh said in
a interview with the Hindu newspaper in 1987 that it would take about 30
years to end the war.
He said as he was a government servant at the time and had to side by
the Government command.
Ram also pointed out that the enemy of the Tamils of Sri Lanka are
the Tamil Diaspora leaders.
He said the International Media seems to be supportive from the
weight they give to the ethnic issue.
Making reference to Arjuna Ranatunga, Ram said although he is a good
cricketer, a cricketing hero, his political policies and principles lack
maturity. Ram said the Asian Institute for Journalists is willing to
grant scholarships to youth.
President of the Asian Journalist Association Shashi Kumar and Sri
Lanka Deputy Commissioner R K M A Rajakaruna also attended the function. |