“I understand that the TMVP had claimed that they were the real representatives of the Eastern People and that no deliberations can take place without their participation. First and foremost, the claim by anybody that they are the real representatives of the East should not be entertained. This claim is almost similar to the claim of the LTTE that they are the sole representatives of the Tamil People.”_____________________________________
(February 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Tamil United Liberation Front Leader, V. Anandasangaree said he was perturbed over the decision to postpone the APRC meeting and has issued the following statement:
"I am perturbed over the decision of the APRC to postpone meetings due to the objections raised by representatives of some political parties demanding the inclusion of the TMVP at its deliberations.
I understand that the TMVP had claimed that they were the real representatives of the Eastern People and that no deliberations can take place without their participation. First and foremost, the claim by anybody that they are the real representatives of the East should not be entertained. This claim is almost similar to the claim of the LTTE that they are the sole representatives of the Tamil People.
"The rival claims of both, the LTTE and the TMVP, should be rejected because the 22 TNA Members of Parliament were fraudulently elected to Parliament as correctly pointed out by various Election Monitoring Teams. They demanded annulling of the elections held in the North and East and recommended a re-poll in these two Provinces. The TMVP is only contesting a few local bodies and to qualify for representation in the APRC, the said party must have representation in Parliament.
"The threat to withdraw from the APRC by representatives of both JHU and MEP is shocking. The reason given for withdrawing from the APRC is more shocking. Representatives of both these parties who have attended more than 65 meetings, should have gained much experience and should not encourage anybody claiming sole representation or real representation of any ethnic group or of any part of the country. Furthermore, the APRC is constituted with representatives of parties that have representation in Parliament. The main constituent partner of the Alliance should have taken the initiative to inform the TMVP to wait till they gain a few seats in Parliament, to find representation in the APRC. Everyone should look in to the general interest of the country as a whole.
"It is needless say that the country is bleeding profusely. We must stop it and the only way to do so is to find a solution as quickly as possible and leave it to the International Community to deal with the LTTE. Innocent people are dying every day. Young men from poor families are dying in the battle front. I foresee a disastrous end to the APRC and sincerely appeal to everybody to see that the APRC continues its task uninterruptedly. If the parties that have no representation in Parliament also should be accommodated in the APRC, it can be done by opening the doors for each and every party to send a representative to the APRC. I see no harm in doing so, except that the APRC's deliberations will get further delayed. All must get together irrespective of party affiliations to save the APRC from any effort by anybody to sabotage its activities. That is what is wanted at the present juncture."
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