Perumal suspended from EPRLF

[TamilNet, Monday, 06 December 1999, 14:45 GMT]
The EPRLF's general secretary Suresh Premachandran released a press statement today stating that the former-chief minister of the North-East Provincial Council, Annamalai Varatharajapperumal has been suspended from the organisation.

The controversial ex-chief minister, who fled to India in 1990 after unilaterally declaring a separate Eelam, returned to the island last year.

The press statement issued by Mr. Premachandran, said Mr. Perumal's activities have created problems and confusion in the organisation

Following are some extracts from the statement:

"Mr. Perumal returned to the island with out informing the EPRLF or its leadership. Instead he informed the Sri Lankan intelligence. It appears he has more faith with them than the organisation.

"Since his arrival he has been functioning without consulting the EPRLF leadership or its regulations.

"He has been conducting discussions with various politicians and officials from military intelligence. He attempted to establish a military unit, and when he failed, he contacted the Razeek Group to establish one.

"The EPRLF has put forward some alternative suggestions to the Government's political package. But Mr. Perumal submitted his own suggestions without the approval of the EPRLF leadership.

"He also submitted a secret 8-page document, about the situation in Jaffna, to the government, without the knowledge of the EPRLF leadership. The lives of several EPRLF cadres and activists would have been in danger if it had implemented.

"He secretly told President Kumaratunge that the EPRLF would back her in the forthcoming elections, and ordered our activists in Jaffna to put up posters in support of Mrs. Kumaratunge.

"He further asked Razeek Group cadres to distribute our papers.

"These are acts are betrayal of party's fundamental policies.

"At this juncture, I have been compelled to take actions as the General Secretary of the party to establish party unity and to rectify the adverse effects.

"I have taken this decision, to suspend Mr. Varatharajaperumal, after consulting with the central committee members, and the regional leaders.

"The decision will be tabled for central committee's approval when it meets soon," the statement stated.