VIDEO: We have not asked to divide the country - TNA
September 15, 2013 05:40 pm
Rejecting allegations that the TNA’s election manifesto demands a separate state, the party’s leader today stated that they only ask for the right for self government in the Tamil Speaking North-East of the country within a united Sri Lanka.
We have very clearly stated, without any attempts to hide, that a solution should be found within the country without any obstruction to the country, MP R. Sampanthan told reporters in Jaffna.
He stated that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will demand “whatever is necessary” for such a solution and that it can be discussed and decided on.
“We have not asked for the country to be divided,” he stressed, adding that the Tamil party has only called for a solution which ensures that the people can be united and live within the same country.
Sampanthan was addressing a press conference, to respond to allegation against the TNA’s 2013 Election Manifesto, which has been termed as ‘extremist’ and ‘separatist’ by the government and its coalition parties.
He stated that sections of the government, expressing their views on the manifesto, have claimed that the TNA is attempting to divide the country. “This is wrong.”
Rejecting the allegations he stated that the TNA has “no intention of doing such a thing” and that it can be understood if the election statement is “carefully read”.
We regret that the President, when he recently visited Vavuniya, had spoken in a manner which would create confusion within the people, the TNA leader said.
The President had stated that the TNA is now asking for what the Tamil Tigers had demanded then and therefore it cannot be considered.
“He doesn’t say what the Tamil Tiger had demanded and he doesn’t say what we are demanding,” the parliamentarian charged, adding, “it is wrong to speak in that manner without explaining what we are asking for and why they are unable to give it.”
We have very clearly stated, without any attempts to hide, that a solution should be found within the country without any obstruction to the country, MP R. Sampanthan told reporters in Jaffna.
He stated that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will demand “whatever is necessary” for such a solution and that it can be discussed and decided on.
“We have not asked for the country to be divided,” he stressed, adding that the Tamil party has only called for a solution which ensures that the people can be united and live within the same country.
Sampanthan was addressing a press conference, to respond to allegation against the TNA’s 2013 Election Manifesto, which has been termed as ‘extremist’ and ‘separatist’ by the government and its coalition parties.
He stated that sections of the government, expressing their views on the manifesto, have claimed that the TNA is attempting to divide the country. “This is wrong.”
Rejecting the allegations he stated that the TNA has “no intention of doing such a thing” and that it can be understood if the election statement is “carefully read”.
We regret that the President, when he recently visited Vavuniya, had spoken in a manner which would create confusion within the people, the TNA leader said.
The President had stated that the TNA is now asking for what the Tamil Tigers had demanded then and therefore it cannot be considered.
“He doesn’t say what the Tamil Tiger had demanded and he doesn’t say what we are demanding,” the parliamentarian charged, adding, “it is wrong to speak in that manner without explaining what we are asking for and why they are unable to give it.”
