CTTU urges members to work for TNA's victory

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 March 2004, 11:47 GMT]
Twenty thousand members strong Ceylon Tamil Teachers’ Union (CTTU) Friday issued a circular to its zonal and district secretaries to participate in election rallies and seminars in support of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) candidates contesting the forthcoming general election in the northeast province, which has been fixed for April 02nd.

CTTU General Secretary Mr.Mahasivam in a statement issued on Friday pointed out to its members that Class I, II and III of the Sri Lanka Principal Service and Grade 1, II-1, II-2, III-2 and III-1 of the Sri Lanka Teacher Service have been given political rights according to 9th amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution. They can be members of political parties and also can contest election. They are also allowed to address election meeting and write political articles to media.

Hence Tamil principals and teachers should use this opportunity to maximum and come forward to work for the victory of TNA candidates, the statement said.

“Principals and teachers should first make it a point to enjoy the political rights accorded to them constitutionally instead of demanding other rights,” said Mr.Mahasivam in his press release.

One of the basic policies of the CTTU is that a political solution to the Tamil national question should be found on the basis of recognizing the LTTE as the sole representative of Tamils and a federal state with the right of self-determination to secede. The only political party in the country that has included the CTTU policy in its election manifesto is the Tamil National Alliance. Therefore it is the duty of our members to support the TNA to register a massive victory in the forthcoming general election, said the CTTU statement.