Sampanthan says Gotabaya is not govt. MONDAY, 27 MAY 2013  “Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said police and land powers would not be given to the Northern Province. I am not ready to talk to him because he is not the government,” said ITAK leader R. Sampanthan at the Trincomalee District General Meeting of the ITAK yesterday. The meeting was held at the New Silver Star Inn to appoint electoral agents, re-structuring party branches and to explain the current political situation. “The problems of Tamils have reached the United Nations. UNHCR conducted discussions with regard to Sri Lankan Tamils. Therefore, we cannot give up our principles for the sake of a 2 km road,” he said speaking at the meeting.  “Except for the 50 acre-land acquired for the Sampur Electricity Scheme, all other lands will be released; that was the promise given to me by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, however, in spite of the promise the lands are still not released. Countries which helped to destroy LTTE, should place a solution before Tamils, be it the USA or India; we need a solution and they are duty-bound to provide it,” Mr. Sampanthan said. He further said “We have shared Rs. 5 million received from our decentralised budget among eleven temples. Had we joined the government, we would have received even Rs.100 million for development, but we will not deviate from our principles.” (Singaravelu Sasikumar) Uncertain of holding the northern election. Sambanthan notify yesterday Monday , 27 May 2013 There is doubt in holding the Northern Province election. If election is held and  to prevent a minute of powers going to the hands of Tamil people, government will implement all the issues before it, said Tamil National Alliance Leader R.Sambanthan     The meeting was held at the New Silver Star Inn, Trincomalee yesterday morning and he made this statement.      He said, shortly a bill will be introduced for the diaspora people to cast their vote. It will strengthen our voting power. By targeting the north province election, this bill will get introduced which I believe.   If one member was increased from the three districts in the eastern province council, today the province administration would be in our hand.   If our people have shown more concern in voting, that would have happened. People, who are temporarily displaced, should be attentive in registering themselves. In some areas people may not be living, but it is a mistake of not getting registered.   Moreover, human rights violations, and humanitarian crisis are specially ignored by our rulers, and it attempts to deny our rights and to counter attack, the one and only way is our vote strength.   Government is not prepared to give a political status to the Tamils. Today our crisis has gone beyond our periphery and have reached up to United Nation Council.   We desire to merge and live with the majority society.  We are prepared to accept a settlement according to our ancestry traditions.   Many countries assisted to eliminate the liberation tigers. Those countries have a responsibility. We were born in this country.   The right you have here belongs to us too. We did not ask anything new.  We are asking the rights of various communities living in many  countries said Sambanthan