TNA sends SOS to foreign diplomats

[TamilNet, Sunday, 18 November 2007, 16:00 GMT]
The Parliamentary Group of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has urged the foreign diplomats in Colombo, including the U.S. Embassy, the British High Commission, the Indian High Commission, the Embassy of Japan and the Embassy of Norway, Sunday evening to persuade the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to secure the timely release of the family member of the Batticaloa district TNA parliamentarian T. Kanagasabai, abducted by the paramilitary Sunday in Batticaloa, and to ensure a threat-free environment for the Tamil parliamentarians in exercising the democratic rights of the people they represent in the Sri Lankan parliament.

Sri Lanka Army operated paramilitary chief operative in Batticaloa, Pillayaan, has telephoned TNA parliamentarians and warned them not to vote against the budget when it comes for final vote on Monday.

Armed paramilitary men from the Pillayaan Group entered the house of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian T. Kagagasabai in Ka'luthaava'lai, and abducted the Batticaloa MP's son-in-law, S. Sajitharan, 37, around 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The group has threatened to kill the abductee if Mr. Kanagasabai voted against SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa's budget.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan policemen, providing security to TNA parliamentarians residences in Batticaloa, were withdrawn Sunday.

A TNA parliamentarian, speaking to media in Colombo, said the TNA would vote against the budget on Monday.

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