TNA MPs, LTTE activist attend Ifthar in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 November 2004, 05:42 GMT]
Mr.R.Sampanthan and Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians from the Trincomalee district, Mr.M.S.Thowfeek, former parliamentarian and a leading member of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Mr.Puratchi, head of the Trincomalee District Thamileelam Students Unit of the Liberation Tigers participated at the 'Ifthar' function held Friday evening at the Trincomalee Mohaideen Andavar Mosque, sources said.

(L-R) Parliamentarian Mr.Thurairatnasingham, former MP Mr.M.S.Thowfeek, SLMM Trinco head Mr.Dagfinn Aadnenas and Additional Government Agent Mr.Singarayar.

Mr.Dagfinn Aadness, head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in Trincomalee, and Mr. Mr.N.Singarayaer, Additional Government Agent also particpated at the event.

The Mosque is located in the main bazaar of Trincomalee town.

Mohideen Andavar Mosque Council, Community Trust Fund (CTF) and Trincomalee Janaza Welfare Society jointly organized the event.

Mr.O.L.M. Ismail, octogenarian lawyer from Trincomalee, in his presidential speech stressed that the event had been organized to strengthen the unity of Tamils and Muslims in the district. " Today all communities are yearning for a permanent peace in the island. We must vow on this Holy day to work hard irrespective of all differences to achieve this noble aim," stressed Mr.Ismail.

TNA MPs and LTTE activists having meals with Muslim participants following Ifthar.

Mr.R.Sampanthan said: " We have assembled here to observe Ifthar on the day Palestinian freedom fighter Yasser Arafat who fought to found a state for his people, the Palestinians, died. The demise of Mr.Arafat is an irreparable loss to the people of Palestine. It is a sad day for those who fight for the liberation of the oppressed race. Mr.Arafat died after he created a no-return situation for the establishment of State of Palestine in the Middle East."

Mr.Arafat has clearly demonstrated through his freedom struggle that no permanent peace could be found in the world if Palestinians are not allowed to live peacefully in their motherland establishing an independent sovereign state, said R.Sampanthan.

" No race can suppress another race. Sinhalese cannot bring Tamils under their chauvinist rule, likewise Tamils for Muslims. Tamils and Muslims, especially in northeast province should live ensuring their identities and cultural values. Both communities should recognise the northeast province as their traditional homeland," said Mr.Sampanthan.

( L-R) Mr.Jainulabdeen, Mr.Thurairatnasingham and Mr.Purtachi seen after the event.

The TNA leader further said: " We do not want another war in this country. We hope that a permanent resolution to the conflict could be found. We urge early resumption of peace talks between the parties concerned."

Mr.Puratchi, the Students' Head of the LTTE in Trincomalee, said that he considered the event a red-letter day in his life. Tamils and Muslims should rally round under a common goal to safeguard their traditional homeland in the northeast.

Mr.M.Jainulabdeen, President of the Trincomalee District Mosques Federation proposed the vote of thanks.

(L-R) Mr.Puratchi of LTTE, Mr.Sampanthan ( 3rd from left), Trincomalee Mosques Federation President Mr.Jainulabdeen, Mr.Ismail.