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13th January 2002

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TULF moots federalism and LTTE

By Chris Kamalendran
TULF leader M. Sivasithamparam has proposed federalism as a solution to the ethnic conflict and insists the LTTE be accepted as sole representatives of the Tamil people.

The 78-year old Mr. Sivasithamparam who underwent medical treatment in India for several years and returned to parliament this month, said he believed only a truly federal system could solve the crisis though he was not sure what the LTTE's stand would be.

Excerpts from an interview with The Sunday Times:

Q: The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has said the LTTE is the sole representatives of the Tamils. Why do you say so ?

A: The reality is that a large majority of the Tamil people are supportive of the LTTE and there can be no settlement without its participation. If the LTTE says it will not negotiate unless it is recognised as the sole representatives. I don't see why we shouldn't recognise it.

Q: By this are you subjugating yourselves to the LTTE - which has not given up a claim for a separate state.

A: We have not subjugated ourselves to anybody. We will maintain our individuality and carry on with what we think is right. Our voice has been heard. Everybody knows our stand. What we say is in the present set up, the only way to achieve a fair and lasting solution is by talking to the LTTE. Do not waste time in talking to other people and water down the demands. Everybody has to agree that without the LTTE a solution cannot be found.

Q: Cannot the TNA which includes the TULF therefore be called 'Quislings' of the LTTE ?

A: We are nobody's 'Quislings'. If you support a party it does not mean a 'Quisling'. It means you agree with it and what should be implemented. A 'Quisling' means a person who repeats what the master says. We are not that.

Q: Or is it that the LTTE has a gun at your back ? They have killed your members and you are frightened.

A: I don't want to discuss the past. Various people have done various things. Even governments have done various things. So let us look at the present and the future.

Q: If the UNF Government sets up an interim administration in the north and east, the TNA will surely play a dominant role in it. Even if there are elections, the TNA will contest and probably win. 

A: I don't know what the Interim Administration will be. I cannot answer that question now.

Q: But will the TNA be only a front for the LTTE?

A: We are nobody's front. 

Q: How do you see the chances of reaching a settlement?

A: We are hopeful . Signs are favourable but the path may be difficult.

Q: What effect would there be from the lifting of the embargo?

A: It's welcome. But it seems that officials on the spot are not cooperating fully. To complete the picture the government should lift the ban on petroleum products as well for the benefit of farmers and fisherfolk.

Q: How do you see it helping the peace process ?

A: The Tamil people will start to believe that they are being treated as equal citizens.

Q: What do you see as India's role in the peace process ?

A: I can't speak for India. But as far as we are concerned we will ask India to talk to the LTTE.

Q: In 1987 India intervened, the 13th Amendment was introduced and the provincial councils setup. But the process did not work.

A: It did not work because the government played foul. The provisions were not fully implemented.

Q: What type of solution do you think the LTTE envisages for the ethnic crisis ?

A: I can't speak for the LTTE. But I believe something in the form of a truly Federal system is the only way that this crisis could be solved. That means except for communications, foreign relations and military all the other matters should be given to the provincial administration.

Q: There could be opposition from the South, particularly from the JVP and the Sihala Urumaya. 

A: If they oppose we will have to go our way. If you do not want to have a Federal system, which is the only solution found in many countries with more than one nationality, please leave us alone and we will go our own way.

Q: Originally the LTTE was fighting for a separate state, what are the indications now ?

A: I don't know. Ask the LTTE. But it has made a clear statement it is ready for a negotiated political settlement.

Q: Is there a genuine effort by the government now to solve the conflict ?

A: The most important move is to lift the ban on the LTTE. That has still not been done. Other militant groups have not been disarmed. Instead of waiting for the LTTE to explain its position the government should say what the bottom line is.


Peace team to visit prisoners

Families of servicemen missing in action who will be visiting the North on January 20 have received the green light from the LTTE to visit the 17 prisoners held by the rebels, an official said.

More than 3000 people are expected to go on a people's peace mission to Wanni next Sunday after a stopover at Madhu where they will hand over 5,000 gift parcels to families in the area along with greeting cards sent from the South.

E.P. Nanayakara, who heads an association of families of missing servicemen, told The Sunday Times a ten-member delegation would go into the uncleared area for talks with LTTE political wing leaders.

The move by the civilians comes amidst a new initiative by the government to resume peace talks.

"We want to contribute to this process through people-to-people contact. 

We want the war to end and our children to be released," Mr. Nanayakkara said. The association is calling on people who support the peace initiative to join in this campaign.


Probe before Seva Vanitha takeover

By Shelani Perera
The government is to probe the activities of the controversy ridden Seva Vanitha movement before taking it over.

The Seva Vanitha Movement which was rocked by allegations of corruption and misuse of funds during the past regime, is headed by the wife of the President or the Prime Minister while its ministry branches are headed by wives of ministers. 

Women's Affairs Minister Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake under whose ministry the movement comes said that she had invited Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's wife, Maithree Wickremesinghe, to take over the movement, but said it would be done after the ministry completed its probe. 

She said the probe was being launched not to take action against any wrongdoers but to streamline the movement and to restructure it in such a way so that it could become more productive and service-oriented.

A controversy arose a few years ago, when the then secretary of the movement Kusum Wickremanayake, wife of former Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake, and Treasurer Pamitha Jayakody traded charges. 


Mine at Maligawatte house

Police yesterday recovered a six-kilo claymore mine from a house at Maligawatte on information provided by a suspect in custody. 

Bambalapitiya Police raided a house at '52 watte' in the Maradana Police Division.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister John Amaratunga told The Sunday Times yesterday that he believed the mine had been brought to Colombo to sabotage the ongoing peace porcess. 

But he declined to rule out that it was targeted at a VIP. According to police, the suspect had initially claimed he was a Muslim, but investigations later revealed he was a Tamil. 


Hot, Hot, Hota Hai!

Porn as a commodity never loses its demand, despite laws restricting or banning its open sale.

To circumvent the long arm of the law, digital porn sellers have adopted a new ruse to sell their hot stuff. The Sunday Times is in possession of a soft porn video compact disc which was being sold by hawkers at Kollupitiya. The VCD cover with a picture of a girl said it contained Hindi songs. When an unsuspecting buyer who bought the VCD titled 'Hot-Hot' played it at home, the first part contained Hindi songs. 

But the family man was in for a shock, when the second part showed nothing but hard porn. 

The Hindi music lover was in for more trouble, when his wife took him to task for bringing home 'dirty' VCDs.

Will the authorities take any action to prevent such pornographic material from being sold publicly? 


Computer error penalises staff

By Tania Fernando
SriLankan Airlines employees who have been paid an additional allowance for three successive months due to a computer error, have been warned that if they do not pay back this amount within this month, they would be grounded and the money would be recovered from their current allowances, according to airline sources.

The airline had paid three months additional meal allowance to the staff in July, August and September last year due to a computer error.

Airline sources said the warning was issued by Head of Service Delivery Walter Riggans who had also thanked those who had settled the outstanding amount. "The company made a mistake and now it is trying to harass us to recover the money," a distraught staff member said, adding that the amounts exceeded Rs. 100,000 in some instances.

Meanwhile, an airline official said the majority of the staff had already paid back the overpayment.

"No decision has been made yet on what action would be taken against employees refusing to pay back the money", the official said.


20 injured in train, bus crash

Twenty-one people were critically injured in a train-bus collision at Avissawella yesterday afternoon. 

The Avissawella bound Kelani Valley power set collided with the CTB bus carrying more than 50 passengers at the Eswatte level crossing. Avissawella hospital sources said most of the injured were females, and the more seriously injured were transferred to Colombo. 



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