15.3.2008
TULF leader V. Anandasangaree expressed
surprise at comments made by TNA parliamentarian N. Srikantha,
to 'reconsider his (Anandasangaree's political priorities
to the Tamil cause') and charged that Srikantha had never
once condemned the LTTE for killing civilians.
The
full text of the veteran TULF leader's missive is given
below:
"I
am surprised at the advice given to me early this week
though the media by the TNA Member of Parliament Mr. N.
Srikantha "to reconsider my political priorities
in the interest of the Tamil cause instead of continuing
to lend a helping hand to the Government's Military strategy".
He made this remark in relation to the comments made by
me rejecting a news report in one of the Tamil Dailies
accusing the Penetrating and attacking Unit of the Sri
Lankan Army, of causing the death of Mr. Sivanesan another
TNA MP who was killed at a spot 20 miles deep inside the
territory under the control of the LTTE. The TNA Members
of Parliament and Mr. Nadesan the new Political Head of
the LTTE also had made the same allegation.
"I
stand by my statement that the MP had travelled about
170 miles from Colombo in areas under the full control
of the army before entering the LTTE zone and why should
the army take such a big risk and penetrate into the area
under the control of the LTTE to target this Member who
is an absolutely non-controversial person.
"If
what Mr. Srikantha expects from me is to confirm their
charge against the forces, I am sorry I can't do it, for
my own conscience will into permit me to do so. I am not
holding a brief to the Government Forces but at the same
time I can't try to bury a big pumpkin in a plate of rice.
Every time something happens, the Tamil print media and
the TNA Members of Parliament promptly put the blame on
the Forces and always exonerate the LTTE.
"Off
and on I had been finding fault with the forces when the
civilians become casualties in their aerial attacks. Recently
I condemned the Poonakary-Kiranchy incident and urged
the forces to be more cautious about the presence of the
civilians. At the same time I also found fault with the
LTTE for locating their camps amidst civilian population.
This is what everyone expects from a Senior politician
as pointed out by Mr. Srikantha. I will not fail to hold
the seals evenly.
"I
want to ask Mr. Srikantha whether he ever condemned the
LTTE for any of their killings of civilians. If not, does
he think that the LTTE is so innocent that they never
cause the death of civilians. Three days back at Wellawatte
a poor beggar was killed in a bomb explosion, in which
four innocent school-going kids were injured, let it be
anybody's children. On last Tuesday and Wednesday six
fishermen had been abducted by an armed group while engaged
in fishing in Mannar. Is this also the work of the Forces?
Will Mr. Srikantha condemn these incidents? I am sure
he will not dare to do so. This is the difference between
a senior and experienced man who acts independently and
one although senior and experienced has some compulsions
to act against his own conscience. I plead with Mr. Srikantha
and some Tamil media not to expose me to grave risk. I
am a free man and certainly not any body's stooge or yes-man."
Courtesy
- Government Information