TNA to launch campaign demanding repeal of PTA

[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 March 2002, 21:55 GMT]
"A mass campaign should be launched to demand the United Front National Government to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in the Tamil dominated Northeast province and the upcountry areas in the central province soon after the completion of holding 'Pongu Tamil' (Tamil upsurge) rallies," said Mr. Selvam Adaikalanathan, Vanni district Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian addressing a seminar held Sunday in Trincomalee Social Service Centre.

"The proposed campaign should be organized in the form of hartal (general shut down of schools, shops and government offices) or fasting," Mr.Adaikalanathan, further said.

The seminar was organized by the Trincomalee Common folk Development Association under the auspices of the Eastern Rehabilitation Organization on the topic 'The Tamil national question and the peace efforts.'

Mr.Adaikalanathan further stated, "no one should be allowed to disrupt the unity of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). The TNA is a people's organization."

Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan said, "political solution to the Tamil national question should be found recognizing the self-determination of the Tamils. The self-rule without recognizing self-determination would be of no use to Tamil people."

"Pongu Tamil Upsurge rallies are being held throughout the northeast province to consolidate the people's power for the armed freedom struggle of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam," said Mr.Selvam Adailakalanathan.

A human rights activist and Attorney-at-Law Mr.K.Sivapalan said that it is high time for the Tamil National Alliance parliamentarians to take concrete steps to force the government to repeal the PTA. Mr.D.Sivaram, journalist and Mr.Jothilingam also addressed the seminar.