Batticaloa organizations appeal for Tamil unity

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 February 2004, 15:16 GMT]
A consortium of civil organizations in Batticaloa, including Tamil renaissance association and Batticaloa People's Forum, made a public appeal yesterday calling upon the tamil people to demonstrate their unity and strength to the international community and others by voting to the 'Rising Sun' symbol in the general elections scheduled to be held on 2 February, civil society sources said.

The appeal urged Tamil candidates intending to compete in the elections to avoid joining any national parties or Tamil parties that work with Sri Lanka Army (SLA). Candidates should work with dedication and commitment for the benefit of Tamil people, the appeal further said.

The appeal urged the people concerned to conduct vigorous awareness campaigns and voter registration activities in the district.

Sources said that several well known Tamils have shown interest to compete under the banner of Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

Parliamentarians G.Krishnapillai, E.Thangavadivel and J.Pararajasingham, and candidates who lost in the last elections, Pon.Selvarajah and A.Selvendran have expressed interest in competing in the elections. President of the Batticaloa district Commercial Union Rajan Sathiamoorthy and Government Agent E.Mounagurusamy also have shown interest in obtaining candidacy, according to civil sources.

Indrakumar Prasanna, Secretary General of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), said that his party may decline permission to E.Thangavadivel, who obtained the highest number of votes in the last election, to compete in the 2004 elections.

TNA sources said, however, that decisions on the names of candidates standing for the elections have not yet been made. Only after extensive consultations will the names will be decided, according to the same sources.