TNA must capture atleast 21 seats - Sampanthan

[TamilNet, Sunday, 07 March 2004, 18:29 GMT]
"The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) must capture at least twenty one of the thirty one of parliamentary seats in the forthcoming general election to show the international community that the northeast province is the traditional homeland of Tamil speaking people despite attempts by Sri Lanka governments to tamper with demographic balance with several state aided colonization schemes," said the TNA leader and the lead candidate in the Trincomalee district addressing two election meetings in Trincomalee town Sunday morning.

Mr. Sampanthan addressing an election seminar held Sunday at the Trincomalee Hindu Cultural Hall

Mr.Sampanthan declared open the Trincomalee district election secretariat of the TNA in Trincomalee by unveiling its name board.

An industrialist Mr.K.Thurairajah lit the traditional oil lamp. Tamil Rehabilitation Organization Trincomalee Director Mr.K.Mathavarajah presided.

Later Mr.Sampanthan along with other TNA candidates addressed an election seminar held at Trincomalee Hindi Cultural Hall, which was presided by Mr. K.Yogaretnam.

Mr.Sampanthan said the forthcoming general election is a crucial one, as it has been thrusted on the country and particularly on Tamils at a time when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were ready to commence talks on its Interim Self Governing Authority proposal with the Government of Sri Lanka.

The chauvinist elements in the south were taken aback when the LTTE submitted its ISGA proposal to the government on 31.10.2003. The President and her allies planned to sabotage the peace talks based on ISGA proposal by sacking three key ministries from the United National Front government and the dissolution of parliament.



(L-R) Mr.Sampanthan, Thennamaravaddy villager and Tamil activist Mr.Vinayagamoorthy, ex-parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham, TRO Trincomalee district director Mr.K.Mathavarajah and leading industrialist Mr.K.Thurairajah are seen after the opening of the TNA election district secretariat



"The country faces fourth general election in thirty nine months period due to power struggle in the south. Tamils should utilize this opportunity to tell the international community in clear terms that they are behind the LTTE and its ISGA proposal and any further negotiation which is to lead to find a lasting political solution to the Tamil national question should be based on the ISGA," said Mr.Sampanthan.

According to political analysts no major political party can muster an absolute majority in the new parliament and Tamils would decide through the Tamil National Alliance who will be able to form the Government. Therefore Tamils must in full strength use their franchise in the forthcoming election, said Mr.Sampanthan.