Book on ethnic conflict released in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 April 2005, 11:53 GMT]
A Tamil book written by well-known political analyst, Mr. C.A.Jothilingam, titled "Ethnic Conflict and Proposals for Political Solution" was released and introduced to the Trincomalee audience at an event held Friday evening in Trincomalee Town Hall. Mr.K.Sivapalan, Human Rights activist, presided the event.







Mr. Ranath Kumarasinghe, President of the Research Centre for Peace among Communities and Mr.Jayatilake Bandara, well-known Sinhala singer participated as special guests.

Mr.S.Elilan, LTTE Trincomalee district political head, Mr.R.Sampanthan and Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham, Trincomalee district parliamentarians delivered the keynote addresses.

Mr.Elilan said Sinhalese politicians in the south are still thinking of occupying traditional homeland of Tamils. Unless Sinhalese leaders change such thinking no satisfactory political solution to the Tamil national question could be found in the near future.



"LTTE signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka three years ago and preferred to begin talks on the basis of federal concept. Later it submitted ISGA proposals. After tsunami the LTTE wanted a joint mechanism to restore normalcy in the northeast. Still the Sri Lanka government is not willing to commence talks with the LTTE," said Mr.Elilan.

"We detest war. We suffered immensely due to war. Sinhalese people of the country have to decide whether they want war or not. Sinhalese people should defeat the warmongers among them if they do not want another war," said Mr.Elilan.



"Sinhalese people will suffer more than Tamils in this country if another war breaks out. A political solution to the ethnic conflict could be found if the government changes its current negative attitude toward peace process. However the LTTE is prepared for any event. But LTTE is for a political solution satisfying the legitimate aspiration of Tamils through negotiation," said Mr.Elilan.

Parliamentarian Mr.R.Sampanthan said US Assistant Secretary of State Ms Christina Rocca agreed with the TNA delegation when it met her last week in Colombo that Government of Sri Lanka had not taken any positive steps to encourage the LTTE politically to pursue the peace process for the last three years since the signing of the ceasefire agreement. "Ms Rocca said that US is against LTTE violence and not against its separatist demand," Mr.Sampanthan revealed.

Parliamentarian Thurairatnasingham also spoke.

Mr.Jayatilake Bandara sang several songs for peace. Mr.Jothilingam, author of the book proposed vote of thanks.