Farmers' co-operatives extend support to Pongu Thamil

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 June 2003, 16:19 GMT]
The Jaffna District Agricultural and Consumer Co-operative Societies Union (ACCSU) Sunday expressed its fullest co-operation for the success of the Pongu Thamil celebrations scheduled to be held in Jaffna university premises on June 27, sources said.

"We should use this opportunity to apply pressure on the government troops to vacate our homes and agricultural lands. We should try hard to regain our lost birthrights without resorting to war and shedding blood or loss of lives," said ACCSU in a statement released Sunday.

"Because Tamil people were silent for more than a year after signing the ceasefire agreement the international community has not impressed upon the Sri Lankan government to formulate a political solution to satisfy the legitimate aspiration of Tamils. Therefore we should use the Pongu Thamil celebration to get the support of the international community to achieve our rights," said the statement.

"We must participate in the Pongu Thamil event on June 27 and show our strength and express our firm commitment in achieving our rights to the government and to the international community," said the ACCSU statement.