Udayan inciting communal hatred - Murugesu

Ridma Dissanayake and Rakshana Sriyantha

The Udayan newspaper report under the headline 'The Sinhalese racists are voicing against Tamils' is inciting communal hatred. The report said 'Sinhalese racists are saying that Tamils should not have power and they should not be allowed to live with self-confidence'.

The Udayan report said the Sinhalese are trying to abolish the Provincial Council system by reducing their powers step by step. This is the reason for the Sinhalese racists to shout against the Tamils and make communal statements at several meetings. They are trying to amend the constitution through these attempts, the report said.

Commenting on this article Dharmapuram Civilians' Committee chairman Wanni Murugesu said: " The people have the right to hold various views and beliefs and express them in the society. But highlighting the views and beliefs as the government's or the majority Sinhalese view, are not fair. The government has requested views of all political parties to resolve the ethnic issue. All those measures are taken towards ensuring the Tamils to live with pride.

"Criticising the government's procedures without paying attention to its plans and publishing communal news items should not be encouraged. Trying to destroy the peace and harmony in the country and understanding among each other cannot be approved."

"Tamils in the Northern and Eastern Provinces are trying to rebuild their lives after three decades of war. They are doing their best to live in peace. In such a situation, highlighting useless statements as the view of the Sinhalese and creating fear among Tamils is dangerous," he said.

The majority of Sinhalese have taught lessons to extremist political parties at elections after the defeat of terrorism. Several researches have been held under the theme 'Granting a political answer for Tamils is a must or not?' The majority of Sinhalese have expressed their tendency to granting a political solution to the Tamils, Murugesu said.

Publishing communal hatred news and articles in Udayan newspaper is a tragedy.

This paper is reporting news changing its information and ignoring media ethics, he said.

"Most Sinhala politicians and organisations are for the rights of the Tamil civilians. Tamils should pay attention to this. The Tamils will then be aware of the motives of the Udayan newspaper," Murugesu said.

The government held Pradeshiya Sabha elections in the North and East after defeating terrorism. The government is now planning to hold Provincial Council elections in these areas. The government is doing its best for all Sri Lankans, he said.