By
Shamindra Ferdinando
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday warned the government against making what it called clandestine efforts to settle the national question.
Having declared its intention to thwart incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa securing a third term at January 8, 2015 poll, TNA chief R. Sampanthan, MP, didn’t mince his words when he declared: “The national question cannot be resolved through a backdoor deal. Such an agreement is not possible. We’ll not take that path.”
He was addressing the media at Hotel Janaki, Narahenpita, where the four-party alliance pledged its support to opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
The TNA chief declared that the whole country should know what was going on between the government and those wanting to address the grievances of Tamil speaking people. Emphasizing that the TNA was seeking a just, workable and durable solution acceptable to all, the Trincomalee district MP expressed confidence that Maithripala Sirisena would take meaningful measures to find a solution.
President Rajapaksa and his government squandered an opportunity to address the issue in spite of the conclusion of the war in May 2009. Instead of addressing the issues, the President in fact delayed the process, hence their decision to back Maithripala, who had the courage to quit the dictatorial Rajapaksa regime.
The TNA stressed that it joined Maithripala Sirisena’s camp without having reached understanding on major issues.
Asked whether Maithripala Sirisena had the courage to achieve what the TNA expected of him, Sampanthan said that presidential election victory would strengthen his hands. Commenting on Maithripala Sirisena receiving the support of the JHU, Sampanthan said that the TNA had held negotiations with President Rajapaksa’s government when the JHU was a constituent of the ruling coalition. Similarly, the TNA was confident that the JHU being in the Opposition coalition wasn’t an issue.
Responding to another query, Sampanthan urged the media to propagate the TNA’s message to the people. The political veteran said that Northern Provincial Council election in September 2013 reflected the TNA’s thinking. Likewise, the Eastern Provincial Council poll in 2012 and local government polls in Northern and Eastern districts, too, indicated the party’s stand. Therefore, the TNA felt that it wouldn’t face any challenge in convincing the electorate to vote for Maithripala Sirisena.
At the last presidential election, the TNA backed former army commander General Sarath Fonseka.
The TNA said that it hadn’t discussed having ministerial portfolios in the next government.
Courtesy: The Island