Navy prevents TNA candidate from entering Mandaitivu

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 March 2004, 23:37 GMT]
The General Secretary of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) and the lead candidate of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the Jaffna electoral district, Mr. Mavai Senathirajah, has requested the Commissioner of Elections to make necessary arrangements for TNA candidates to visit areas close to the high security zones in the Jaffna peninsula.

Mr. Senathirajah made this request in writing to the Elections Commissioner following a complaint by one of the TNA candidates, Mr. N.Sri Kantha, that he had been prevented by the Sri Lanka Navy personnel from entering Mandaitivu where several resettled families reside. Hence he could not conduct election campaign in the village, sources said.

Mr. Senathirajah has told the Commissioner of Elections " We could foresee such handicaps in respect of the areas in forward defense lines of high security zone and in areas in close proximity to high security zones where resettlement is permitted".

" It would be much appreciated if early arrangements are made with the Ministry of Defense to alleviate such hindrances for electioneering work of our candidates," said Mr. Senathirajah in his letter to the Elections Commissioner.