TULF relieved by nomination rejection

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 December 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The TULF held a press conference this morning around 9.30 a.m. in Jaffna town at Mrs. Sarojini Yogeswaran's residence at Kailasapillaiyar Koilady.

Here she told the press "we accept our mistake and we ask our supporters to forgive us".

Pon Sivapalan, the TULF lawyer was also present at the press conference. Answering a question by the TamilNet correspondent, he said "It is good, in a way, that this happened (the rejection of the TULF's nomination papers). We will not ask our supporters to vote for any of the armed groups".

Meanwhile TULF spokeman in Colombo Mr.V.Anandasangari told the press "I think what happened was a blessing in disguise". "How can you expect a free and fair election when groups of people are freely moving about with arms" he asked reporters who contacted him.

The TELO also held a press conference in Jaffna today. It was addressed by the organisation's general secretary Sivajilingam.

He said that his group is facing some obstacles but that it will smash them and go ahead with its political work.

He was referring to the EPDP's attempts to preclude the other groups from carrying on election work in the islands of Kayts, Velanai,Delft, Punguduthivu etc., said sources close to the group.