TAMIL NATIONAL ALLIANCE MP SUPPORTIVE OF GOVERNMENT¹S HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE EFFORTS FOR IDPS IN CONFLICT ZONE

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament Vinodharadhalingam expressed his support Friday for the Government¹s ongoing efforts in providing a safe, secure environment for the IDPs in the northern conflict zone. The TNA is the third largest political party in Sri Lanka and has traditionally known to be aligned with the LTTE.

Upon conclusion of a recent personal visit to the Kadiragamapuram welfare camp in the north, the Wanni district MP observed that the civilians in the welfare camp were being provided humanitarian assistance and living free from fear of the LTTE.

The Ambassador for Sri Lanka to the U.S., Jaliya Wickramasuriya welcomes the MP's support. "This is a significant development," said the Ambassador, "because it adds validity to what we have been saying all along ­ we are doing everything possible to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance to those civilians able to reach the government¹s safe zones. We will continue our efforts to care for all Sri Lankans."

"It is also evident that with the LTTE losing its military power and the influence it held over a large spectrum of groups and individuals," said the Ambassador, "more people such as Mr. Vinodharadhalingam will be able to support a democratic system for the entire country. The LTTE will no longer be able to hold their influence over others to pursue their own agenda."

According to a report on news.lk, the MP was also supportive of the government¹s vocational training program and efforts to train young people for the workplace and "give them hope of a better future"­ including those that have lived under the repressive regime of the LTTE. He mentioned that Sri Lankans are indeed confident that this feeling of freedom will last forever. He further stated that this would not have been possible if the Government did not take the stand to take the "bull by the horns" and take the LTTE to task and fight hard to eradicate terrorism from this country forever.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA

22 March 2009