Vavuniya teachers, education officials urged to vote for TNA

[TamilNet, Friday, 19 March 2004, 11:46 GMT]
"Our people should vote to reinforce Tamil Nationalism. We are supporting the elections this time to ensure that the voice of the Tamil National Alliance which is calling for the Tamils right to self-determination and setting up of Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) in the NorthEast, is heard clearly," said S.Elilan, LTTE political head of Vavuniya, addressing a meeting attended by Vavuniya North education officials, teachers and principals, sources in Vavuniya said.

S.Gnanam, head of the Vavuniya Kalvikalaham is speaking at the meeting.

Ceylon Tamil Teachers Union (CTTU) organized the meeting. Vavuniya district Education Officer, V.Ganesarajah, presided the meeting.

Elilan further said: "In the past we didn't support any elections. There is a reason why we are providing our support to elections this time.

"In the past, from 1948, Tamil parliamentarians elected by the Tamil people shouted and screamed in Sri Lanka's parliament but were unable to win any rights for our people through the parliamentary system.

"Then they organized non-violent protests outside the parliamentary system. These protests were met with violent responses from the majority Sinhala people. Mr.S.J.V.Chlevanayagam then warned the Sinhala politicians that one day they have to answer to the future Tamil generation that will take up arms.

"Now we are militarily strong and we are administering a vast area where our language and culture are thriving. Future governments of Sri Lanka have to abide by the agreements they sign with us. Abrogating and tearing away pacts are things of the past. International community is listening to us and would like to see unity and Tamils aspirations expressed in a single voice.

"We urge everyone to support the Tamil National Alliance so that Tamil aspirations are expressed clearly and unequivocally to the International community."

CTTU General Secretary, T.Mahasivam, Vavuniya District Education Officer, Gnanam, and Assistant Education Officer, Arn Master also spoke.

T.Mahasivam, the general secretary of the Ceylon Tamil Teachers' Union is seen addressing the crowd.

Arun Master, the Deputy head of the Kalvikalaham is seen speaking at the meeting.

S.Elilan, Vavuniya district political head of the LTTE is addressing.

V.Ganesharajah, the Divisional Education Officer Vavuniya is presiding the meeting.

Sections of Education officers, School Principals and teachers who participated at the meeting.





Sections of Education officers, School Principals and teachers who participated at the meeting.