TNA appeals to strengthen Tamil-Muslim unity

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 April 2003, 10:26 GMT]
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Trincomalee district parliamentarians Mr.R.Sampanthan and Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham Wednesday appealed to Tamils of Muttur area, south of Trincomalee, to work hard to safeguard and strengthen the support of Muslims in their areas.

The pariliamentarians made this appeal following tense situation prevailing in Muttur area over the disappearance of two Muslim youths who were alleged to have been abducted by unidentified persons few days ago, sources said.

Muslims in Muttur accuse LTTE is behind the abduction. However, the LTTE has denied any involvement in the alleged abduction. Uneasiness prevails in Muttur area where Muslims and Tamils live together following a report that the mother of one abducted Muslim youth had committed suicide Tuesday, sources said.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim who came to Muttur Tuesday to diffuse the tense situation in Muttur, will not leave to Colombo until the two abducted youths are released, SLMC sources said.

"We need the support of the Muslim people who live among us for centuries to find a lasting peace with a permanent political solution to the ethnic conflict. The LTTE has denied any involvement in the abduction of two Muslim youths. Some groups, which oppose the present process, are working hard with a hidden agenda to derail the peace process to bring rift between Tamils and Muslims. We should not give into such elements. We must safeguard and strengthen our relationship with Muslims in our areas," Mr.Sampanthan and Mr.Thurairatnesingham said in their appeal.