'Development before peace won't benefit Tamils' - Sampanthan

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 February 2003, 17:57 GMT]
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Saturday said that peace and development in the Tamil dominated northeast province should take place simultaneously. "If development takes place first and the peace comes later then the beneficiaries will not be Tamils but some others," said Mr.R.Sampanthan, Trincomalee district parliamentarian and the parliamentary group leader of the TNA, while addressing families resettled in Kappalthurai, a village located 10km west of Trincomalee town.

Development should not take place in Trincomalee before permanent peace is ensured in the northeast province, stressed Mr.Sampanthan.

Tamils were displaced and lived in refugee camps and welfare centres for several years. They underwent all these sufferings in order to regain their lost rights. Now the opportune moment has come. We should not miss this opportunity to find a permanent and fair political solution that could fulfill our aspirations we have been longing for the last fifty years, said Mr.R.Sampanthan at a meeting held at Kappalthurai co-operative society building.

TNA national list parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham also spoke.