"April election to create new leaf in freedom struggle"-Ilamparithi

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 March 2004, 16:57 GMT]
"Tamils in the northeast should rally around the Tamil National Alliance in the forthcoming April 2 general election to create a new leaf in the Tamil freedom struggle," said the Jaffna district political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Mr.C. Ilamparithi, addressing a press conference held Monday evening at the office of the Jaffna district political secretariat located in Kokuvil.

The forthcoming general election would strengthen the LTTE politically, which has already proved its military might in the battlefield. In addition this general election is to be the first turning point in the Tamil freedom struggle, said Mr. Ilamparithi.

"Tamil voters should vote in full strength to increase the bargaining power of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) after the general election.

"JVP leader Mr.Vimal Weerawanse who opposes the Interim Self Governing Authority proposal has joined hands with the EPDP leader Mr. Douglas Devananda and Tamil United Liberation Front leader Mr. V.Anandasangaree. The opportunist politicians have come to the forefront to deceive the Tamils. Tamils should join hands to defeat these politicians in the April poll," said Mr. Ilamparithi.

Mr. Ilamparithi further said that LTTE would extend its wholehearted support to the authorities concerned to ensure a free and fair poll without any incidents. "Our cadres are engaged in political activities in the peninsula without arms. But the Eelam Peoples' Democratic Party and the independent group led by Mr.Anandasangaree have been conducting election campaign with armed policel and army personnel. Inspite of this protection they accuse that LTTE cadres are harassing them," the LTTE political official said.