LTTE leaders discuss Trinco development with NEPC officials

[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 December 2004, 17:08 GMT]
"The utmost goal of our liberation struggle is to free our people from all sufferings and to ensure that they lead a life in their areas with all basic needs are met,"said Mr.S.Elilan, LTTE Trincomalee district political head addressing a one day- discussion with regard to the Trincomalee district development which was attended by top officials of the North-East Provincial Council (NEPC). The discussion was held at Kaddaiparichchan Vipulananda School in the LTTE controlled Muttur east, down south of east port town Sunday.

On the head table of the discussion (L-R) Mr.Karikalan, Mr.T.Lankanesan, Mr.S.Amirthalingam,Provincial Governor's SecretaryNECORD Project Director, Colonel Sornam and NEPC Chief Secretary Mr.S.Rangarajah

Mr. Thangan after hoisting the Thamileelam national flag taking salute while NEPC officials and LTTE leaders attending

Col. Sornam coming to the discussion with Mr.Karikalan

Mr.Elilan speaking

Col. Sornam speaking

Mr.Elilan further said people would be surprised to note that the LTTE has been holding the discussion on the development of Trincomalee district at a time they think of another war is imminent. "Whether there will be war or not we have to fulfil the urgent needs of our people and implement development projects in our areas," stressed Mr.Elilan.

"We withdrew from the peace talks with the past government when the government in power failed to establish an infrastructure that could implement development projects in our areas and also failed to provide urgent and basic needs to our people who have suffered in the war," he said.

Colonel Sornam appealed to NEPC officials to work with dedication to alleviate the sufferings of our people. "Living standard of our people should be raised. About eighty percent of the people living in the LTTE controlled areas are beyond poverty line. Development should take place in rural areas and not in urban areas," Colonel Sornam said.

Colonel Sornam added, " Our freedom struggle has got a new dimension and our struggle have attained prominence in the international community."

Mr.Karikalan said provincial council system was introduced in the country to solve problems of Tamils. Currently provincial councils functioning in Sinhalese areas are enjoying all powers but not the NEPC. " We allowed the PC system in the northeast to function as a step to solve problems confronting Tamils," said Mr.Karikalan.

Mr.Thooyavan also spoke.

NEPC Chief Secretary Mr.S.Rangarajah, Provincial Ministry Secretaries Messrs R.Thiakalingam (Education), Mr.S.Ramanathan (Agriculture and Land (, Mr.V.P.Balasingham (Rehabilitation, Reconstruction), North East Governor's Secretary Mr.S.Amirthalingam and heads of several provincial departments.

Colonel Sornam, LTTE Trincomalee district military commander, Mr.S.Thangan, deputy head of LTTE political secretariat, Mr.S. Karikalan, head of the TEEDOR, Mr.Thooyavan, head of the Thamileelam Planning Secretariat, Mr.Arul Master, deputy head of the Thamileelam Education Board, Mr.Nalan, Thamileelam Students Organization and several other leading LTTE activists participated in the discussion, sources said.

At the commencement of the discussion Mr.Karikalan lighted the common flame of sacrifice. Mr.Thangan hoisted the Thamileelam national flag. Two minutes silence was observed for the dead in the freedom struggle, sources said.