Tamil Parties Alliance reiterates its commitment

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 December 2001, 14:49 GMT]
The parliamentary group of the Tamil Parties Alliance (TNA) at its first meeting held Tuesday strongly reiterated that "it has come together and obtained the mandate of the Tamil people in the Northeast to pursue the policies enunciated in its election manifesto, in relation to the resolution of the Tamil national question, which primarily requires the immediate commencement of negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam with international third party involvement, and to facilitate the commencement of such negotiations, the lifting of the proscription imposed on the LTTE in Sri Lanka."

The parliamentary group met at the headquarters of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) Tuesday. Fourteen parliamentarians excluding the National List MP Mr.M.Sivasithamabaram attended the meeting.

Several resolutions were unanimously passed at the meeting.

The press release issued by the newly elected parliamentary group leader of the Tamil Parties Alliance Mr.R.Sampanthan follows:

"The parliamentary group unanimously resolved that it condemned and rejected as totally unfounded and false the various reports appearing in some newspapers, which seek to mischievously project disunity within the Tamil Parties Alliance.

"The Tamil Parties Alliance strongly reiterates that it has come together and obtained the mandate of the Tamil people in the northeast to pursue the policies enunciated in its election manifesto, in relation to the resolution of the Tamil National Question, which primary requires the immediate commencement of such negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam with international third party involvement, and to facilitate the commencement of such negotiations, the lifting of the proscription imposed on the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

"The parliamentary group strongly asserts that it is firmly committed to the achievement of the policies enunciated in its manifesto and will not be influenced in any way by mischievous reports appearing in section of the media.

"The parliamentary group makes an appeal to every one particularly the Tamil people not to be influenced or misled in any way by such mischievous reports

" The parliamentary group unanimously resolved to extend its grateful thanks to the Tamil voters primarily in the northeast who extended their wholehearted support to the policies enunciated in the manifesto of the Tamil Parties Alliance and enabled the Tamil Parties Alliance to secure 15 seats in parliament, despite intimidation, the hardships, restrictions and denial imposed on the Tamil people, particularly on those from the uncleared areas in regard to the exercise of their franchise.

"The parliamentary group also extends its sincere thanks to religious leaders, civil society leaders, non-governmental organizations, women and youth organizations, university staff and students, teachers, media personnel and all other forces which in numerous ways contributed to the victory of the Tamil Parties Alliance.

"The parliamentary group desires to solemnly assure the Tamil people and all those who extended their support to the Tamil Parties Alliance that it would remain faithful and strongly committed to the achievement of the policies enunciated in its election manifesto.

"The parliamentary group further unanimously decided to condemn the killing of two Muslim civilians by the Special Task Force of the Police in Amparai district and the use of force against Muslim civilians who protested against such unwarranted killing. The Tamil Parties Alliance convey its deepest sympathies to the bereaved families".

In another press release issued by Mr.V.Anandasangaree, Senior Vice President of the TULF states that the Tamil Parties Alliance at its first parliamentary group meeting held Tuesday decided unanimously to elect Mr.Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, Trincomalee District Parliamentarian as its parliamentary group leader.