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The Sunday Leader
also spoke to TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree in
Jaffna. Excerpts of an interview.
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V. Anandasangaree |
Q: You were previously allied to the government.
Your decision to contest this election independently
of the government came as a surprise to many. What
was behind the decision to contest the election
alone?
A: We feel that only by maintaining our
independence can we best represent the interests of
the Tamil people. Its not that we are against the
government but we do not want to give the world the
impression that the people of Jaffna are entirely
satisfied with the status quo. A victory for the
government in this poll would allow the government
to tell the world that the people of Jaffna are
behind them and that they have no problems but the
reality is that their problems are very real.
There are still 300,000 people in IDP camps, the A9
is still not opened, an acceptable political
solution has not yet been put forward. We feel that
as an independent party we will be in a better
position to pressure the government to act on these
issues.
Q: If you want to prevent the government from
winning the election why haven’t you joined the TNA
— their objectives appear to be similar…
A: The TNA — I wouldn’t touch them with a
barge pole. For years they were just mouth pieces
for the LTTE. They’ve been in parliament for years,
what have they achieved? They have no realistic plan
to allow the Tamil people to achieve their
aspirations.
As
far as this election campaign is concerned I will
have nothing to do with the TNA. After the election
if they prove that they have some popular support
however I am prepared to work and cooperate with
members of the TNA and any other party that is
genuinely interested in furthering the interests of
the Tamil community. Our alliance which includes the
PLOTE and EPRLF is really about building unity among
Tamil parties and using our popular support to
influence the government.
Q: But what does the TULF offer the people of Jaffna?
A: We are the heirs of the Federal Party and
the Tamil Congress. Leaders such as Chelvanayagam
and Ponnambalam who stood up for the rights of the
Tamil people. We are not associated with terrorism
and we are not part of the government. As you can
see Tamil politics at present is fragmented. With so
many divisions and factions it is very difficult for
the community to move forwards and we feel the TULF
offers the best basis for unity. We want to unite
moderate opinion and push for an acceptable
political solution; perhaps along the lines of
Indian federalism.
Q: Do you believe this election will be free and
fair?
A: Free and fair? Every day I receive
threatening phone calls! I think we all know from
whom. There are parties allied to the government who
are still armed. The war is over but they are still
carrying arms and they tell us we are on their
territory and that we should get out. But the people
are with us and a vote for us is a vote to an end to
the era of violence.
Q: At the end of the day however this is merely a
municipal council election. Why is someone of your
seniority contesting what many would describe as a
minor election?
A: It may seem an unusual decision but I have
been in politics for decades. I have come to the end
of my career and I believe as mayor of Jaffna I
could play a positive role campaigning for the
rights of the people and the development of Jaffna.
As mayor I will have a platform from which to exert
pressure on the government and work to build unity
among the community – that is how I see my role. I
am no longer young and I am willing to step down –
but I believe there is still work for me to do. |
The Sunday Leader caught up with EPDP Leader,
Minister Douglas Devananda at his quarters in Jaffna
for an interview on the Jaffna Municipal Council
elections. Excerpts:
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Douglas Devananda |
Q: How difficult was the decision to campaign under
the betel symbol rather than EPDP’s traditional
veena?
A: Actually – very difficult; for years we
have been represented by the veena — that is our
party symbol. The people know us under that symbol
and they have faith in our party. To convince people
that we should campaign under the betel was
difficult – initially many in the party were against
the idea. But at the end of the day we believe
cooperating with the government is the best way to
further the interests of the Tamil people. We are
confident the government will deliver, and we
believe the people will have faith in our party
under any symbol so we believe we can win this
election under the betel symbol.
Q: What do you feel the government can offer the
Tamil people?
A: Any visitor to the town can see there is
normalcy — the people are moving about freely, they
couldn’t do this in the days of LTTE terror. Now we
can hold a fair election. Before polls were rigged
by the LTTE and their stooges. Even the bus service
along the A9 has now commenced; previously people
had to pay thousands of rupees for flights.
The government offers real progress and development
— that’s already obvious just months after the end
of the war.
Politically the government is willing to offer the
full implementation of the 13th Amendment. And
ultimately it’s a matter of personal trust. I have
faith in the President and am confident he will
offer a fair solution and a bright future to the
Tamil people
Q: The EPDP previously campaigned for a merger of
the Northern and Eastern Provinces. By joining the
government alliance have you abandoned this demand?
A: Times change – this is a matter for the
Tamil people to decide. There have been provincial
council elections in the east and there will shortly
be similar elections in the north — the people are
now involved in the process and they appear to have
accepted the separation of the provinces.
Q: There are allegations that your supporters
continue to carry arms and that many in Jaffna feel
they have no choice but to vote for the EPDP as
defeat for the government will mean the return of
the previous restrictions…
A: These allegations are untrue. You can see
for your self that all the parties are freely
campaigning around the municipality. While other
parties claim to be innocent they are engaged in
intimidation and malpractices. The other day one of
our supporters was attacked by supporters of a rival
party. But I insisted that there be no retaliation.
We
have huge popular support, we could retaliate – but
I have told my supporters that it’s a sin even to
think of such a thing. We are a democratic party but
these other parties and their leaders claim to be
men of peace etc. Just scratch the surface and you
will find every vice.
Q: You have said you have faith in the government
but the EPDP has a long history of independence –
if you are not satisfied with the government
actions are you prepared to go it alone at future
elections? What will you do if the government does
not live up to your expectations?
A: Asking us what we will do if the
government fails to honor its promises is like
asking someone what they will do if the sky falls
downs. We believe the sky will not fall – and that
the government will deliver on its promises. We
have complete faith otherwise we would not be
contesting under the betel symbol.
V. Anandasangaree and Douglas Devananda on the
Jaffna Municipal Council election. |
