National ethnic question: MR blames TNA’s lack of cooperation during his tenure

ANANTH PALAKIDNAR- FEB 05 2019

Leader of the Opposition and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while opposing the formation of a National Government, pointed out that if the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had cooperated with him, he would have gone for a meaningful settlement to the ethnic question, soon after the war.

Rajapaksa had a breakfast meeting with the senior editors and journalists of the Tamil media at his Wijerama Mawatha residence today (5).

He responded to several questions during his meeting and pointed out that he was confident of winning more than 113 seats if a Parliamentary Election was held.

He also emphasized on the necessity of holding the Provincial Councils Elections first, saying that several Provincial Councils have completed their terms at present. He also said that attempts have been made to delay the Provincial Councils Elections. “We are prepared to face any election and are confident of winning all the Elections. I have interacted with the people closely and I am certain of my victory,“ he said.

Elaborating on joining hands with President Maithripala Sirisena, he said that he had done so to prevent the United National Party, led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, taking the country towards disaster.

Commenting further on the national question, Rajapaksa said that a political solution should have been found soon after the end of the war in 2009. “The TNA instead of cooperating with me was very particular about supporting Wickremesinghe and getting a settlement from him. Ultimately nothing has happened in the past four years,“ Rajapaksa noted. When a question was put to him saying that the TNA had 18 rounds of talks with his Government in this regard, yet to no fruition, he said that even in those 18 rounds of talks, the TNA was not cooperative.

Expressing his views on the proposed new Constitution, Rajapaksa said that a new Constitution could not be brought by a weak Government. “A Government with strength is important to bring out a new Constitution,“ he said.

Commenting on the Presidential Election candidate from his side, Rajapaksa said that there were speculations about fielding his brothers Chamal Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, yet no decision has been taken thus far in this regard. “At the right time we will announce the right candidate,” Rajapaksa said.

Responding to a question on what would be his stance if the TNA and former Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, who has formed his own Party contest separately in an Election held in the North, Rajapaksa said that he would join hands with whoever needed his cooperation in solving the Tamil question.