Colombo plans settling 5,000 Sinhala families in Mannaar: TNA MP

[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 May 2013, 22:11 GMT]
The occupying Sri Lanka has planned to appropriate lands in Mannaar district of the occupied country of Eezham Tamils to settle five thousand Sinhala families thus creating two new Sinhala villages, said Vanni district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan citing inside instructions coming from Colombo to Mannaar district secretariat. “According to this covert plan one thousand five hundred Sinhalese families in Maanthai West DS division, one thousand Sinhalese families in Madu AGA division and one thousand five hundred Sinhalese families in Musali DS division are to be settled down in the district,” Mr Adaikkalanathan further told media. 

Selvam Adaikkalanathan [Library Photo]

According to reliable information, a Sinhalese village to be created between two Muslim villages and another Sinhalese village is to be created between two Tamil villages in Mannaar district. 

The covert plan for the land appropriation and creation of two Sinhala villages in the district has the blessing of a Cabinet Minister who hails from district, Mr. Selvam Adaikalanathan further said.

The TNA parliamentarian and TELO leader who also hails from Mannaar said land appropriation and creation of new Sinhala villages are to take place while large number of uprooted Tamils and Muslims are still waiting for the resettlement in their own villages.

Govt. invites UNP to join Select Committee

FRIDAY, 10 MAY 2013

The Government extended a fresh invitation to the main opposition United National Party (UNP) to join the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to evolve a political solution to the national question.

During question time, Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane told parliament that it was important for the UNP as the main opposition political party to join this select committee.

“It is better for the UNP to participate in it and submit its proposals,” he said.

The Chief Whip said this when UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe asked whether action would be taken to establish an independent police commission as recommended by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

Mr. Wickremesinghe said the Government had agreed, at a meeting with the opposition including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), to present a formula for political negotiations.

“It is yet to be revealed so that we can participate,” he said and added that the government should promise to repeal the 18th Amendment and reintroduce the 17th Amendment for the establishment of independent commissions.

“If you give us that assurance, we can join the PSC,” he said.