Pararajasingham calls for talks with Tigers

[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 October 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham MP for Batticaloa said today that the international community and the Sri Lankan government have now realised the truth and the reality that no solution to the ethnic problem can be found without the participation of the Liberation Tigers.

He was addressing the annual prize giving function of St. Michael's College in Batticaloa this morning.

He further said in his speech:

"To bring an end to the war in the Northeast which is destroying the our youth who should be the back bone of our society, a cease fire between the Tigers and the army should be brought about first."

"Then the government should hold talks with the Liberation Tigers. This is the reality today. The conflict cannot permanently be solved by talking to any one except the LTTE."

"Five billion rupees are spent annually on fighting the war in this country. If this money is equally divided among all the people of this country each will get 2850 rupees."

" What is the point in this government carrying on with the war? What is the benefit ?" he asked.

Mr. Pararajasingham did not attend Parliament yesterday when the government presented its devolution package amidst the pandemonium raised by the UNP.

The Batticaloa branch of the TULF will meet tomorrow to discuss the package and the question of preserving the integrity of the Tamil homeland. A strong resolution is expected to be passed against the idea of holding referenda to determine the territorial future of the east.

The TULF central committee which was scheduled to meet on Oct.17 has not met as yet to discuss and decide on the crucial issues raised in recent weeks by the devolution package of the PA.

Party sources in Colombo says that the pro-Chandrika group in its leadership is deliberately avoiding a central committee meeting at this juncture for fear of facing flak from powerful regional personalities in the TULF for playing a facilitator¹s role in getting the PA package to Parliament.

The pro-Chandrika group of the PA is also worried that the majority of the central committee might push them into a tight spot vis-à-vis the PA.