TNA rally exhorts political prisoners' release

[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2002, 12:19 GMT]
"There will soon be a permanent ceasefire, normalcy might gradually be restored, we may even have freedom of movement in our land - but we must not let all these distract us from our goal and slacken our resolve to struggle on for our rights as a nation", said Mr. K. Thangavadivel, the Tamil National Alliance MP for Batticaloa, addressing a meeting at the conclusion of a 'Paatha Yaaththirai' (foot pilgrimage), Sunday from the southern and northern quarters of the eastern town urging Colombo to release Tamil political prisoners and lift the ban on the Liberation Tigers.

A march led by Mr. G. K 'Vellimalai' of the TNA, the sole Tamil MP from an LTTE held region in the north and east, joined the rally in the Batticaloa town centre later.

Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham, TNA MP for Batticaloa and several local TNA politicians, including ex-MP for the district Mr. Pon Selvarajah and Mr. Selvendran who is also the President local NGO consortium also addressed the meeting.

The speakers urged the Indian government play a more pro-active role in the peace negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers.

(Photos:TamilNet)