LTTE's commitment to Sinhala rights lauded

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 January 2003, 18:37 GMT]
The zonal director of education for Dehiattakandiya, Mr.W.Kodituwakku, on Wednesday lauded the assurance by the head of the LTTE's Educational Development Division, Mr. V. Ilankumaran, that the rights of the Sinhalese living in the Northeastern province would be safeguarded.

"I leave with full confidence that the rights of the Sinhalese living in this province would be safeguarded. The assurance by Mr. Ilankumaran that there would be no discrimination against the Sinhalese has touched my heart," said Mr. Kodituwakku, speaking at the conclusion of a three-day Education Workshop organized by the NE Provincial Ministry of Education and held in Trincomalee.

Sinhalese people are a minority in the Northeastern province. Mr. Ilankumaran had said in his keynote address at the workshop that the LTTE would work for the educational development of the people of the province, taking special measures to safeguard the rights of the Sinhalese minority. "Only then will we be able to ensure the educational rights of Tamils living outside the North-East," he said.

The Dehiattakandiya education zone is one of the three Sinhala zones in the Amparai district in eastern province. Altogether, four Sinhala education zones are in the province, namely, Kantalai in Trincomalee district, Maha Oya, Dehiattakandiya and Ampara in the Ampara district.

Mr. Kodituwakku said that some among the Sinhalese community work against the peace process for personal reasons. "A majority of us pray for the success of the present peace efforts," he said. "Earlier I attended two conferences on northeast education held in Killinochchi. I have come to the firm conclusion now that the education of Sinhalese in the Northeastern province is in safe hands after attending the workshop."

The workshop attended by all twelve zonal directors of education in the eastern province, including four Sinhalese, was held to finalize educational development projects for the Northeastern province. NE Provincial Director of Education Mr.S. Mahalingam presided at the concluding session, which commenced on Monday at the Management Centre of the Provincial Education Ministry, Thulasipuram in Trincomalee.

Mr. Kodituwakku said that he was confident that the basic needs of the schools in the Sinhalese zonal divisions would be taken care of, and added, however, that "top priority" should be given to the schools in the war-affected areas, as their needs are more important now.

The additional Provincial Director of Education, Mr.S.Subramanaiam, in his vote of thanks commended the speech made by Mr. Kodituwakku. Mr.Subramaniam said that Mr.Kodituwakku's speech is a good omen at a time when all people look forward to the success of the peace process.