TNA leaders address election rally in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 March 2004, 14:36 GMT]
General Secretary of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) Mr. Mavai Senathirajah addressing an election rally in Trincomalee Tuesday evening said, "Tamils have got a historic opportunity in their freedom struggle to show their unity. Tamils must support the joint effort of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to find a lasting political solution to the Tamil national question based on the interim self governing authority (ISGA) proposals."

Mavai Senathirajah speaking

Mr. Senathirajah further said the TNA would will win all the nine parliamentary seats in the Jaffna district in the forthcoming general election.

At the commencement of the rally, TNA candidates led by the TNA leader Mr.R.Sampanthan contesting the Trincomalee district accompanied by Mavai Senathirajah were taken in a procession from Paththirakaliamman Temple to the venue, Muttukumaraswamy Kovilady through Vidiyalayam Road and Rajavarothiam Road.

A former TNA parliamentarian and a candidate in the forthcoming general election in the Jaffna district Mr.M.K.Sivajilingam said the power struggle between the Sinhala political parties in the south had led to the dissolution of parliament at a time when Tamils and their sole representative LTTE were ready to recommence the stalled peace talks on the basis of ISGA.

All seven TNA candidates contesting Trincomalee district on stage at the commencement of the meeting

ITAK General Secretary Mr.Mavai Senathirajah and TULF Secretary General Mr.Sampanthan on stage

Mr.Sivajilingam speaking

Mr.Sampanthan speaking

A lorry carries election symbol HOUSE in front of the procession



Mr.Sampanthan said the forthcoming general election would decide the fate of Trincomalee district whether it is going to be the traditional homeland of Tamils or not. Political forces in the south have been dreaming to capture Trincomalee by dividing the district into three to suit their chauvinist thinking. The vote of the Tamils must shatter their dream by sending at least two members from the TNA to parliament in the forthcoming general election.

TNA candidates Messrs. K.Thurairetnasingham, S.Gowri Muhunthan, Satha Shanmuganathan, A.H. Sahul Hameed, V.Vigneswaran and K.Ragunathan also spoke.