Court action awaits Pass system

[TamilNet, Sunday, 06 February 2000, 17:41 GMT]
The Tamil United Liberation Front's (TULF) central committee decided today to file fundamental rights case if the Government enforces the controversial pass system for the Batticaloa District, sources said. The meeting was presided by TULF's Vice President Mr.V.Anandasangari.

The TULF central Committee discussed the planned pass system for the Batticaloa district which was taken up by Mr. Pon Selvarajah, an MP for Batticaloa.

The TULF decided to first urge the Government to scrap the pass system, failing which it will file a fundamental rights case against the state, sources close to the TULF said.

According to the proposed pass system, which was scheduled to come into effect on February 15, all people over 12 years of age living in Batticaloa district have to obtain passes to travel outside the district.

Several Parliamentarians and political parties also have requested the President Ms. Kumaratunge to withdraw the proposed pass system which they say will isolate the people of the eastern province from other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Mr.Anandasangari said that Tamils are increasingly being ignored for appointments in Government Service and for positions in Government Corporations. Similar treatment to Tamils in the North-East Provincial appointments is causing widespread resentment within the Tamil community, he added.

The shortage of medical supplies to people of Vanni and the difficulties faced by the Tamil people travelling to Jaffna will be taken up for discussions during the forthcoming meeting with the President, he said.