No Crossover: I Am Staying – Pillayan
By Faraz Shauketaly in Batticaloa
On the campaign trail, former LTTE child soldier turned democratically elected Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan, who goes by the name Pillayan, took a few moments to give The Sunday Leader an opportunity for a quick “power interview.” Pillayan has been in the news lately due to rumours that he will make a crossover. He spoke to The Sunday Leader in Batticaloa.
SL: Chief Minister Pillayan, are you crossing over from the government and joining the Sarath Fonseka team?
Pillayan: We have had discussions with them to establish what is best for our people. We are unhappy with the content of their partners, like the TNA for example. I can now say that there is no crossover and I am firmly behind the campaign to ensure that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is re-elected. The President was here and he followed up by sending his own brother here. Basil Rajapaksa campaigned very hard, addressing many meetings, and they have a genuine concern for the people. We have divided the area and are making good progress.
SL: Who in your opinion is the best option in terms of the presidency to achieve the aspirations of the Tamil people in this area?
President Mahinda Rajapaksa promised to secure peace. He has delivered that. The amount of development work, the speed and the commitment is very commendable. The President sent his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa to look into the war; there was success. He has now turned his attention to development work. He has sent his other brother Basil Rajapaksa to coordinate that. There is lots of work going on and we can see that the President is keen on development. Therefore, President Rajapaksa remains the one person committed to change.
SL: The people in this area must be war-weary after 30 years of fighting. Do you think that it matters to them who is elected the next president?
The people are aware of the steps that this government has taken to develop this area; this government has shown its commitment to development and of course peace. They know that this is the government that will be successful in making this area successful. After so many years the Tamil-speaking people have been able to think about their future and about politics. So yes it is important for them.
SL: Will Mahinda Rajapaksa win?
Definitely. (Gives the thumbs up sign)
There are skirmishes reported between Pillayan’s and Karuna’s thugs. If Pillayan – whose past is well known, defects to Fonska’s side, he wont last for long, and he knows it. With all his talk of ‘development’ he and his council are unable to implement their writ in the eastern province – the military governer blocks everything. The mayer of Batticaloa supports fonseka because “her supportesrs desire” same, she says.
All these guys are killers, they should be tried in the court of law and sentenced to death. Never trust the terrorist.
Who is he? How can you say he was democratically elected as chief minister. Without Tamil’s acceptance he came to the power and by stealing vote as tamils were not interested on the election. Only Mahinda and his partner India can accept him as chief minister for East. After many years Tamils are going to vote and speak in order to chase these unelected and unwanted people like Pilliyan, Karuna & Duglas rule us and saying that they are representing us. We know that this time also they will steal our votes but our people are going to vote more than the votes they going to steal. This is the time to say bye to Pilliyan, Duglas and Karuna now.
Better arrest Pilliyan & Karuna for killing our sinhala people and monks after the election.
He cannot ruin Tamil in East if SF win because he is going take thier arms away.Currently East poeple under seige of this Karuna faction with blessing of MR.
How can he accept it.
Tamils in east are not with them.