Support to Pongu Thamil widespread - press

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 June 2003, 10:58 GMT]
"Progress and Freedom of a community depend on the solidarity and co-operation among its people. Pongu Thamil celebrations should show Tamil peoples' thirst for freedom and express their solidarity to move forward in their struggle," said Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna, in his message. Civil organizations across Jaffna peninsula have expressed unqualified support to the Pongu Thamil celebrations scheduled to take place Friday, press reports from Jaffna said.

Bishop's message added, "The peace talks started after the MoU and currently stalled, should resume and lead the way to establish a sustainable solution that allows Tamil people to lead their lives with freedom and dignity."

The Hindu Priests Union said, "Permanent peace is possible only if the Sri Lanka Government establishes an Interim Administration in the Northeast under the leadership of the Liberation Tigers. In the Pongu Thamil celebrations to be held in the Jaffna University campus grounds, Tamil people of all religions should join together and express their resolve to be free," popular Jaffna daily Uthayan reported.

"Right to self-determination is an inalienable right to a nation. Tamil people have this right. The Pongu Thamil celebration should hightlight the expression of this right," M.K. Sivajilingam, Member of Parliament, said.

Jaffna District Agriculture Union, in a memorandum issued, said "We will stand with our heads held high when more than three hundred thousand Tamils raise their hands and recite the proclamation. All our members will join this celebration for the world to witness us creating history," Uthayan reported.

Jaffna Technical College said in its message, "The Government of Sri Lanka attempted to use the Sri Lanka Army to stop the celebrations last year. The uprising will continue with renewed vigor this year. We call all Tamil people to join the celebrations," press in Jaffna reported.

Canadian Tamil Students Union in its message of support said, "We express our unqualified support to the Pongu Thamil celebrations which will expose to the world the continued occupation of our ancestral lands in the name of High Security Zones by the Sri Lanka' security forces."

The Motor Vehicle Drivers Union, Coconut Development Union, Consortium of Community Centres, Hair dressers Union and several other civil organizations issued messages expressing support and calling all in the district to join the celebrations Friday.