'Velanai attack an attempt to derail peace process' - TNA

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 June 2002, 22:34 GMT]
"The Tamil National Alliance views the Velanai attack on Liberation Tigers political activists by the Sri Lanka Navy and some men wearing masks as an attempt to derail the peace process and to disrupt the implementation of the ceasefire agreement," said TNA parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan in a statement issued Friday night.

The TNA issued the press statement following reports of a brutal attack on the LTTE's head of the political section in the islands, Semmanan, and another activist, Thayalan, on Thursday night at Velanai by a group of SLN personnel and masked men identified as members of a para military group EPDP.

"The TNA considers the Velanai attack as an unwarranted and malicious act," said Mr. Sampanthan. "The TNA vehemently condemns the Velanai attack on Liberation Tigers political activists. The government should take stern action against those culprits who masterminded the brutal attack."

Mr. Sampanthan said that he would take up this matter with the government once the TNA received detailed reports about the incident.