No peace talks until SLA atrocities on Tamil civilians cease-TNA MP

[TamilNet, Monday, 19 December 2005, 11:54 GMT]
Mr.Mavai Senathirajah, Jaffna District Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian speaking during the budget debate in parliament Monday warned the Government not to think of peace negotiations until the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) stops attacks on Tamil civilians in Jaffna district. SLA soldiers are seen in front of every house in Jaffna district and people are living under fear. Under these circumstances no meaningful peace negotiations could be held, said Mr. Senathirajah.

Referring to the incident that took place Monday in front of the Jaffna University entrance, Mr.Mavai Senathirajah said that SLA soldiers had beaten Mr.S.Gajendran, a fellow TNA parliamentarian Monday morning in Jaffna. SLA soldiers had beaten Vice Chancellor and leading academics. Several undergraduate students had been injured in SLA firing. The Government should immediately intervene and bring the volatile situation in Jaffna under control. There is an uprising among Tamil civilians against SLA occupation in Jaffna, he said.

Mr. Senathirajah said Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel in Punguduthivu in Jaffna district has sexually assaulted and murdered a Tamil young woman. SLN personnel had attacked Punguduthivu residents who went in protest to the SLN camp and had later attacked civilians who attended the funeral of the young girl. SLA soldiers refused permission for parliamentarian Mr.Gajendran to visit Punguduthivu, he added.

Mr Senathirajah further said that Tamil civilians are forced to obtain military training in Jaffna district because of SLA harassment and oppression. From Krishanthy to Tharshini several young women had been sexually assaulted by government troops. Hence Tamil people are demanding the immediate removal of government troops from Jaffna district.

"Hundreds of thousands of internally displaced families are languishing in refugee camps and welfare centers. They are unable return to the houses and agricultural lands which are forcibly occupied by the government troops after declaring high security zones. Until these problems are sorted the Government cannot expect Tamil side to participate in peace talks. First the government must stop all atrocities on Tamil civilians. Thereafter we will think of holding peace talks," said Mr.Mavai Senathirajah.