ISGA critical to prevent secession- MP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 August 2004, 10:50 GMT]
"There is increasing evidence that the Sri Lanka Government is unwilling to accept Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) for NorthEast. If this situation is not reversed soon, Tamil people will have no option other than to seek a path of secession, said Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member of Parliament for Jaffna District, M.K.Sivajilingam, during a debate on Regulations on Electricity Board, Wednesday, parliamentary sources said.

"Despite changes in parties that form Sri Lanka Government, the ruling governments have been consistently ignoring the aspirations of the Tamil people. The Liberation Tigers, last October submitted a proposal for an ISGA, as a fundamental instrument to provide the Tamils with sufficient powers to rule themselves. Peace talks have not resumed based on the ISGA.

"Tamil people are increasingly doubtful of the sincerity of the Sri Lanka Government in advancing the peace talks towards an equitable solution.

"I have no doubt that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will be seen by future generations of Tamils as the main party that led to secession," added Sivajilingam.

Wimal Weerawanse, JVP parliamentarian, objected to Sivajilingam's statements as against the regulations of the Sri Lanka parliament and requested the Speaker to remove the statements from appearing in Hansard. The Speaker agreed to consider his request.