LTTE blames sinhala leaders for lack of political will and vision

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 February 2004, 19:24 GMT]
“The dissolution of the Sri Lankan parliament and the call for a snap election constitutes a grave set-back to the peace process. The decision to seek another mandate from the people clearly demonstrates the fact that the Sinhala political leadership lacks the political will and vision to resolve the country’s burning issue - the Tamil national question,” said Mr Anton Balasingham, the LTTE’s political advisor and theoretician commenting on the current political developments in Colombo.

“The irrational power struggle and the lack of consensus among the Sinhala ruling elites on the resolution of the ethnic conflict have plunged the entire country into serious political instability and endangers the prospects of peace and security of the Tamil people,” Mr Balasingham said.

“The LTTE leadership has amply demonstrated to the world their sincere dedication and commitment to peace and peaceful resolution of the conflict. In spite of the political turmoil and uncertainty in Colombo, our liberation organisation will rigidly observe the ceasefire regulations and maintain peace. Since the decision to call for elections might further delay the resumption of the peace talks we call upon the international community to take immediate measures to assist the Tamil people faced with urgent humanitarian needs,” the LTTE political advisor said.

“At this critical juncture we call upon the Sinhala masses to express their solid support to those forces who recognise the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Tamil people and are seriously committed to peace and peaceful resolution of the Tamil ethnic conflict. It is the majority Sinhala people who has the final choice in the forthcoming elections to decide as to co-exist with the Tamils in peace, harmony and prosperity or compel them to seek the path of political independence on the basis of their right to self-determination,” Mr Balasingham commented.