NE official applauds women's contribution to struggle

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 December 2002, 23:30 GMT]
"Tamil leadership is currently engaged in political negotiations from a position of strength. Tamil women's contribution to all aspects of our struggle is equal to those from our men", said Mr.S.Rangaraja, Chief Secretary of the Tamil dominated North East Provincial Council (NEPC), addressing as the chief guest on the second day Sunday evening session of the Provincial Tamil Literary Festival held in Trincomalee.

"Tamil leadership, in the past, negotiated with the Sri Lanka governments in power and signed several agreements to regain the lost rights of the Tamils. These agreements were abrogated by the Sinhala parties with abject disregard for the Tamil leaders who were signatories to the agreements.

"The present situation is different. It will be difficult to cheat the current leadership," said Mr.Rangaraja.

Tamils are now respected and recognized in world and it is due to the outstanding contribution of women in the struggle, said Mr.Rangaraja.

"Northeast situation is changing rapidly. We have a duty to ensure that the development of our language and culture goes hand in hand with the easing of the day to day burdens in our life caused by the war," he added.

Provincial Director of Education Mr.I.M.Issadeen and Dr.T.Jeyasingham, Rector of the Trincomalee campus of the Eastern University, spoke at the event as guests of honour.