By

Ananth Palakidnar

Q
: What is your opinion on the European Court of Justice (ECJ) annulling the restrictive measures taken against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)?

A: The European Court of Justice in its verdict has stated that the objective test which had been carried out by the Council and Commission of the European Union , together with two member States , the UK and the Netherlands were unsatisfactory in the decision taken on proscribing the LTTE. The matter was entirely dealt according to the law of the European Union. No one can influence the legal systems in place in Europe or elsewhere in the Western countries. So it is absurd to say that the verdict has been in favour of the LTTE and the decision would be a boost to revamp its activities.

The European Union Court of Justice has stated the manner the proscription was imposed was not acceptable and it has given the time to the defendants to present their case with the precise objective test. Since the LTTE has denounced violence, the defendants have to prepare themselves in justifying their position during the time frame the ECJ has offered them.

Q:
According to the ECJ verdict, how do you see the functions of the LTTE activists abroad?

A: Well, it is clear the LTTE has been defeated militarily. The sympathisers of the organization are also now emphasizing on a political solution to the Tamil crisis in the Island. Since several countries where the Tamil expatriates live have taken stringent measures in curbing extremism and violence, the propaganda launched in the island following the ECJ verdict saying that the LTTE would resort to violence is meaningless. This kind of campaign has only been carried out to mislead the innocent masses.

Q:
The President in his recent visit to Jaffna has criticized the Tamil National Alliance in the Northern Provincial Council stating neither the Chief Minister nor the NPC was cooperating with him in developing the Northern Province. The President has also hinted at the NPC as a ‘dog in the manger ‘. How do you see this comment?

A: He should not have called the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) a ‘dog in the manger’. He had made this comment in Kilinochchi where the Tamil National Alliance had registered a thumping victory at the Northern Provincial Council election last year with 99% voters supporting the TNA. Therefore, describing the TNA as a dog is somewhat insulting the people whom the alliance represent. The Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran has responded to President Rajapaksa’s description of the NPC as a ‘dog in the manger’ in the right way.

Wigneswaran in a statement has said that already by setting on fire the ‘haystack’ during the final phase of the war the Rajapaksa Government is in doldrums. He has been haunted by Geneva. Therefore, of course the NPC is very particular that no more fires are needed to its ‘haystack’.

The President cannot say that the TNA or the NPC is not cooperating with him. Despite the protest by other councilors in the NPC Wigneswaran took his oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Chief Minister to express his solidarity with the government. Chief Minister, Wigneswaran also took his oaths before the President for the second time to accept his portfolios.
But the President has disappointed the NPC and the Chief Minister. He made several pledges with regard to the administration of the Northern Provincial Council. Whenever the Chief Minister met President Mahinda Rajapaksa I was there with him. We requested him to appoint a civilian Governor and remove the present Governor with the military background. We also requested the President to change the Chief Secretary.

The President agreed to make the changes in the two positions but he has failed to do so. We also mentioned about the reduction of military presence in the North. We also requested the President to stop the land grabbing. We emphasized on devolving police powers to the Northern Provincial Council. But he didn’t respond positively to whatever we wanted from him. So how come he could say that we are not supporting him?

Q:
2015 is expected to be the year of elections. What will be the stance of the Tamil National Alliance over the intended Presidential poll?

A: We haven’t taken any stance so far. The TNA is carefully monitoring the situation. We have not even decided on supporting any candidate. It is too early to announce our position. As we represent a majority of people in the North and East we will be an important factor in whatever the polls. First of all we will extend our support to any candidate who will come forward to make any genuine attempt to resolve our political issues and act in the greater interest of the country. We have been in touch with several political parties. So, we will take our decisions at the right time. First of all let the announcements be made with regard to the elections.

Q:
What is the TNA’s position over a common candidate?

A: Well, first of all let there be a common candidate. Ven. Sobhitha Thera met us recently. He spoke to us extensively on abolishing the Executive Presidential system. He was speaking against corruption, bribery and lawlessness in the country. He also emphasized on the political rights and the dignity of the minorities in the country. He was impressive. That doesn’t mean we are supporting him. We are yet to make our decision.

Q:
Being a lawyer and as a TNA Parliamentarian what is your view on President Mahinda Rajapaksa going for the third term in the next Presidential polls?

A: I stand by former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva on this issue. The ex- CJ has clearly put forward his arguments over President Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting for the third term.
The 18th Amendment which permits the President to go for the third term was brought to the Constitution on 10 September 2010. As President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken his oaths in January 2010 as President to hold the office for the second term under the earlier amendment which permits him to be in the office only for two terms, he is disqualified to contest under the 18th Amendment. Therefore, the stance taken by former Chief Justice Sarath N. Siva in preventing President Mahinda Rajapaksa from contesting for the second term is correct and as a lawyer and parliamentarian I stand by it. I believe even former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge cannot contest for the third time.

Q:
The United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe a week ago met the ITAK leader Mavai S. Senathiraja in London. Is there anything discussed over seeking the TNA’s support by the UNP leader?

A: Nothing like that. It was only a courtesy call. Nothing was discussed in detail over the political issues between the UNP and the TNA. We have been talking to all political parties including the JVP. In time to come we will have more discussions with other parties. As I told you earlier, nothing has been decided by the TNA on supporting which candidate or the political party at the future elections.

Q:
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has shown the interest towards working with the TNA following its failures at Northern Provincial Council polls and at the recent Uva Provincial Council polls. What is your comment on the SLMC –TNA tie -up in the future?

A: Well, the Muslim people in the North and Eastern Provinces expect the TNA and the SLMC to work together. We were very generous in accommodating the SLMC at the 2012 Eastern Provincial Council polls. But the party had made a wrong decision to align with the UPFA.
Being the two premier parties representing the minorities we should work together. The SLMC now feels that it should voice for the rights of its people joining hands with the TNA. As far as the SLMC is ready to work with us we will consider it positively and support the party in return.

Q:
The constituent parties in the TNA emphasise that the alliance should be registered as a single political party. What is your comment on this issue?

A: The TNA has already been registered as an alliance. We have been given the notification by the Commissioner of Elections recognizing the alliance as a party.
Since the alliance has its weight as a political party with the representation of five political parties, we may decide on registering the TNA as a separate political party.

Q:
Whatever the political stance taken by the TNA, the people of Jaffna are full of praise for bringing Yal Devi back to Jaffna after 24 years. How do you see the return of the Yal Devi to Jaffna?

A: First of all I must thank the Indian Government for coming forward to give its fullest cooperation in resuming the train service to Jaffna. Apart from granting the adequate financial assistance India had offered its technical expertise with its men and materials.

Not only towards Jaffna, India has even helped in resuming the train service towards Mannar. So now the train service to Jaffna has materialised after 24 years.

Being a person hailing from Point Pedro I also travelled extensively in Yal Devi during my student days. I extend my best wishes for the successful operation of the Yal Devi in the future.

Courtesy:Ceylon Today