Government minister Periyasami Chandrasekaran says war offensives against Tamil civilians can never wipe out the LTTE, and will only create peril in the future.
Claiming that minority Tamils were being repressed, the Upcountry People's Front leader said there has been a political awakening in Tamil Nadu to pressure Indian government to intervene and halt the military thrust in the north.
He was responding in Parliament today (Oct. 22nd) to southern political parties' criticism of his letter to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, commending him for his involvement.
Mr. Chandrasekaran alleged no successive government had been sensitive to Tamil's grievances, as had been talked about by leaders like Chelvanayagam, and instead, had adopted a communalistic approach.
Claiming the late Rohana Wijeweera had recognized Tamils' right to self-determination, the UPF leader said it was unfortunate the JVP had now deviated from that stance and become completely chauvinistic.
Malaysia had sought the help of New Delhi regarding an issue of its people of Indian origin, thus preventing an ethnic strife in that country, he said, adding that Sri Lanka should similarly ask for India's support.
The UPF leader was interrupted several times by the JVP and the JHU during his speech, and at its conclusion, National Freedom Front's Wimal Weerawansa asked him whether he agreed with the humanitarian missions in the north.
Mr. Weerawansa also demanded the Tamil politician to immediately resign as a minister as well as a government affiliate, had he sent the letter to the TN CM as a member of the cabinet.
JVP's Vijitha Herath refuted the UPF leader's claim that his party's late founder had recognized self-determination rights of Tamils.
Mr. Herath said his party had never been communalistic and pointed out that it had been instrumental in getting citizenship to Tamils of Indian origin.
Making a statement, opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said under Clause 43 or the Constitution, members of the cabinet have a collective responsibility.
Therefore, the statement by the UPF leader as a minister should be considered that of the government.
However, chief government whip Dinesh Gunawardena said the government's stance was different from that of Mr. Chandraksekaran.
LD
Claiming that minority Tamils were being repressed, the Upcountry People's Front leader said there has been a political awakening in Tamil Nadu to pressure Indian government to intervene and halt the military thrust in the north.
He was responding in Parliament today (Oct. 22nd) to southern political parties' criticism of his letter to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, commending him for his involvement.
Mr. Chandrasekaran alleged no successive government had been sensitive to Tamil's grievances, as had been talked about by leaders like Chelvanayagam, and instead, had adopted a communalistic approach.
Claiming the late Rohana Wijeweera had recognized Tamils' right to self-determination, the UPF leader said it was unfortunate the JVP had now deviated from that stance and become completely chauvinistic.
Malaysia had sought the help of New Delhi regarding an issue of its people of Indian origin, thus preventing an ethnic strife in that country, he said, adding that Sri Lanka should similarly ask for India's support.
The UPF leader was interrupted several times by the JVP and the JHU during his speech, and at its conclusion, National Freedom Front's Wimal Weerawansa asked him whether he agreed with the humanitarian missions in the north.
Mr. Weerawansa also demanded the Tamil politician to immediately resign as a minister as well as a government affiliate, had he sent the letter to the TN CM as a member of the cabinet.
JVP's Vijitha Herath refuted the UPF leader's claim that his party's late founder had recognized self-determination rights of Tamils.
Mr. Herath said his party had never been communalistic and pointed out that it had been instrumental in getting citizenship to Tamils of Indian origin.
Making a statement, opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said under Clause 43 or the Constitution, members of the cabinet have a collective responsibility.
Therefore, the statement by the UPF leader as a minister should be considered that of the government.
However, chief government whip Dinesh Gunawardena said the government's stance was different from that of Mr. Chandraksekaran.
LD
den.. nothing to talk about him.. 
