‘SAMBANTHAN, ARE YOU WEARING YOUR VERTI’? - A. H. M. Azwer, MP

When Mr. Sambanthan and the rest of his people go to Geneva and complain there of human rights violations, they never speak of the human rights violations of the Muslims killed in Kattankudi Mosque, Eravur and also the massacre of the young Buddha Putras at Arantalawa. The TNA must understand that what is sauce for the gander is also sauce for the goose.

“Sambanthan, are you saying these things wearing your verti,”? he asked

A. H. M. Azwer, MP, expressed these views at a public meeting held at the Periyamadu Muslim Vidyalaya in the Mannar District.

He was participating in a fact finding mission led by Minister Rishard Bathiudeen and comprising of Senior Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, Deputy Minister M. L. A. M. Hisbullah, Hunais Farook MP, former Minister M. S. M. Ameer Ali, Y. L. S. Hameed, Secretary All Ceylon People’s Congress and several others.

They visited several villages in the Vavuniya and Mannar Districts to make an on the spot study of the problem faced by the resettled people.

Speaking further M. P. Azwer said all Members of Parliament have taken an oath not to advocate directly or indirectly the division of the country and also to uphold the independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the country. It is a violation of this oath and also an act of treason when the TNA MPs join hands with the Diaspora and other foreign elements who call for the division of Sri Lanka. No country in the world tolerates such acts of unpatriotic anti-national behavior and such persons will not be allowed to return to their countries. “In Sri Lanka, the international community should understand, that Tamil language and culture is permitted to flourish freely and that several religious dignitaries, scholars, archaryas, Karnatic musicians visit Sri Lanka regularly to participate in religious and cultural activities.

They thoroughly enjoy the hospitality of the Sri Lankan people and participate in Kamban Villa, Vel Villa, book releasing ceremonies and other cultural and religious programmes. They come to Colombo, travel to Jaffna and Batticaloa and return home without anybody being harassed or ill-treated by the local population. The Sri Lankan people have developed a great culture and civilization to heartily welcome anyone visiting our country from Tamil Nadu or anywhere else. There is established a synthesis of the Aryan and the Dravidian culture much evident among the people of India and Sri Lanka,” he said.

“When the Bandaranaike-Chelvanagam Pact was abrogated, the Federal Party Chief Thanthai Chelva did not hesitate later to sign another agreement with Dudley Senanayake. He never closed the door of dialogue. He always chose the Ghandian way of peaceful Sathyagraha and espoused the cause of his people. The present TNA Leader, Mr. Sambanthan, would do well to take a leaf out of the principle enunciated by his leader S. J. V. Chelvanagam. Let him, at least now without putting his people’s future in jeopardy, heed to the call of the President to come before the Table, discuss problems and help the Government to evolve an accepted solution to the problem of all parties concerned,.” he said