TNA censures SL President over ministerial post to EPDP

[TamilNet, Friday, 16 April 2004, 14:55 GMT]
The Tamil National Alliance parliamentary group Friday censured the action of Sri Lanka's President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunge, in appointing a person rejected by the Tamil people in the April 2nd poll in charge of a ministry important to Tamils, disregarding the overwhelming mandate obtained by the TNA for the establishment of the Interim Self Governing Authority in the Northeast, TNA sources said.

A resolution to this effect was unanimously passed at the TNA parliamentary group meeting held Friday at the parliamentary complex, sources said.

The TNA's censure apparently refers to Mr. Douglas Devananda, the leader of the paramilitary Eelam People's Democratic Party, who was appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Marketing Development, Hindu Education Affairs, Tamil Language and Vocational Training centres in the North by the President.

Mr. Devananda managed to become an MP after the EPDP managed to obtain one of the nine seats in the Jaffna district in the April 2 elections. The TNA won the remaining 8 seats by an overwhelming majority.

Excerpts from the resolution follow:

"The LTTE submitted its Interim Self Governing Authority proposals to the UNF government on October 31 last year and indicated its willingness to resume peace talks on that basis.

"Attempt to revive the stalled peace talks was foiled due to political upheaval that took place following the take over of the three key ministries by the President.

"In the general election held thereafter the Tamil people overwhelmingly voted the TNA with twenty-two parliamentary seats giving the mandate to work for the establishment of the ISGA in the northeast province.

"Contrary to the expectation that the President would act according to the wishes of the Tamil people, she appointed a person rejected by Tamils at the last general election in charge of a ministry important to Tamil people.

"President’s action has caused doubt in her sincerity in resuming the peace talks with the LTTE.The TNA parliamentary group censures the President for disregarding the mandate of the Tamil people for the establishment of the ISGA in the northeast province."