Shamindra Ferdinando

TNA leader R. Sampanthan

Alleging that incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa was moving towards a dictatorship and totalitarianism, the four-party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday (Dec 30) pledged the support of the Tamil electorate to opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

The TNA emphasised that the repealing of the two term limit on the Office of the President was meant to facilitate President Rajapaksa’s project.

The TNA asserted that the election of a new president would facilitate on-going efforts to resolve Sri Lanka’s national issue.

Addressing the media at Hotel Janaki, Narahenpita, TNA leader R. Sampanthan, MP said that the decision had been unanimously taken after having carefully watched President Rajapaksa’s performance over the past decade. He said that the TNA had particularly examined President’s performance since his re-election in January 2010 and reached the conclusion that the SLFP-led UPFA had to be defeated.

Sampanthan was flanked by Northern Provincial Councillor Dharmalingham Siddarthan (PLOTE leader), Vanni District MP Nadeshu Sivashakthi Annamalai (EPRLF), Vanni District MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan (TELO leader), TNA leader and Trincomalee District MP R. Sampanthan, Jaffna District MP Mavai Senathirajah (Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi leader) and National List MP, M.A. Sumanthiran

Responding to a query by The Island whether the TNA had probed its own conduct as a political party, particularly as regards its decision in 2001 to recognise the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil speaking people, Tamil electorate boycotting Nov 2005 presidential election and backing former army commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka at the last presidential election in January 2010, Sampanthan compared the situation before and after May 2009, when the war was brought to a successful conclusion.

The MP said that both the government and the Opposition had the freedom today because the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) no longer existed. The MP stressed that the LTTE had been a ruthless militant organisation.

The MP admitted that the TNA, too, had been freed from the clutches of the LTTE.

The TNA leader justified the recognition given to the LTTE at that time (2001) on the basis both the then President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s government and the UNP wanting to have talks with the group.

Commenting on the Nov 2005 polls boycott, Sampanthan said the Tamil electorate had no option but to abide by the LTTE directive. Sampanthan didn’t comment on the TNA having to issue that directive on behalf of the LTTE.

Without elaborating, Sampanthan referred to allegations as regards the UPFA engineering the LTTE’s decision.

The TNA Chief said that the Tamil community had to move on. People living in the Northern and Eastern Provinces as well as other areas had faith in the TNA; therefore the party received the right to decide on their behalf.

Asked whether the TNA would get on same stage with Maithripala Sirisena, Sampanthan said that hadn’t been decided yet. The TNA chief dismissed assertion that they were hesitant to go all out for Maithripala Sirisena’s victory.

Courtesy:The Island