Tigers’ armed struggle for justice - MP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 July 2002, 00:17 GMT]
The armed struggle of the Liberation Tigers has just objectives, Mr. R. Sampanthan, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentary group leader said Tuesday addressing a gathering at the conclusion of one day token fast held in Trincomalee Monday evening in protest at the continued detention of Tamil Nadu politician Mr. V. Gopalasamy.

“It is because the LTTE is fighting for a just cause that several countries including United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, European Union and India have intimated to the Sri Lankan government to find a political solution to Tamil problem through talks with the LTTE," said Mr. Sampanthan.

Attorney-at-Law Mr.K.Sivapalan presided over the protest fast which was held demanding the release of Mr. Gopalasamy, leader of the Marumalarchchi Dravida Munnetra Kalzaham (MDMK). TNA national list MP Mr. K. Thurairetnasingham and several others also addressed the event.

"India has also told Sri Lankan Prime Minister that it would not disrupt the ongoing peace efforts to find a political solution to Tamil problems through talks with the LTTE,” Mr. Sampanthan said.

“The Indian Foreign Minister during his recent visit to Colombo has reaffirmed that Indian government fully supports the present peace process.”

“Every one should render their assistance to strengthen the hands of the LTTE to find a better and lasting political solution to the ethnic question through talks. No step should be taken to weaken the peace effort under any circumstances", he said.

The arrest of Mr. Gopalasamy by the Tamil Nadu government is considered by the Tamils in Sri Lanka detrimental to the peace process, said Mr. Sampanthan.