JHU joins anti joint mechanism fray

[TamilNet, Monday, 25 April 2005, 14:11 GMT]
Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), an ultra Sinhala nationalist party in Sri Lanka's Parliament, Monday vowed to oppose the proposed joint mechanism between the Liberation Tigers and Colombo to distribute Tsunami aid in the island's northeast. Addressing a press conference in Colombo Monday, Mr. Champika Ranawaka, propaganda secretary of the JHU said that his party was ready to join hands with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to campaign against the joint mechanism proposal. He said that there are many politicians in the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the opposition United National Party who are against the joint mechanism for Tsunami aid.

Mr. Ranawaka said the JHU intends to enlist their support in its campaign to stop the proposed joint mechanism.

"The establishment of a joint mechanism with the LTTE would lead the country to disaster", said Venerable Athuraliya Ratana Thera, JHU parliamentary group leader addressing a press conference Monday in Colombo.

Ven. Athureliye Ratana Thera, MP, Parliamentary group leader of the JHU said that the Liberation Tigers should not be given any share of the Tsunami aid or allowed to have the joint mechanism as they control only twenty percent of the island's northeast.

He said even the SLFP MPs and ministers are unaware of the proposal's contents.

"The joint mechanism would allow the LTTE to obtain more foreign funds directly to the northeast and also it would allow LTTE leaders to go abroad frequently to muster international support for their cause," said Venerable Athuraliya Ratana Thera.

Currently JHU has nine parliamentarians.

Venerable Athuraliya Ratana Thera lauded the Sinhala Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) for its courageous decision in opposing a powerful section in the UPFA government which is supporting the joint mechanism structure.

He said JHU is prepared to work with the JVP in defeating pro-joint mechanism group, according to sources.