TULF Election Manifesto 2015
Tamil United Liberation Front Election manifesto Parliamentary general election 2015
( August 2, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Tamils would have been relieved of all their problems long ago if only the successive Governments and their Tamil allies had given the people proper directives or good Governance. No one bargained with them, without taking into consideration their thoughts, ambitions and dreams. Off and on, during election time in particular, some leaders seek fresh mandates from the people with new ideas coupled with new attractive terminology. At a time when we are rejoicing that we got an ideal opportunity to have our problems solved, that opportunity too seems to be deliberately disturbed with meaningless demands and threats. The President who took off with great enthusiasm, now appears to be losing courage. What has now taken place is only the change of President with limited powers and not the Government, as many believe, for the President to act with courage.
During the past few years people had lost everything, mainly their kith and kin and valuable properties and also their much valued means of livings. Without bothering to find out what they really need urgently, they keep on talking at random with selfish motives and with no reference to the woes of the People. Such utterances will certainly create more problems.
Stand of the Tamil United Liberation Front
As far as the Tamil United Liberation Front is concerned the change that had taken place is a good opportunity made available to us to find solutions to our problems. The change of the Head of the state alone will not suffice, but more than that, repeated assurances about unity among all communities and a solution for the ethnic problem had been guaranteed by respectable and trustworthy people who love the country, like Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thero, Ven. Athuralia Rathna Thero, Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and above all, recently elected President much respected Maithripala Sirisena. Should not we have faith in these personalities and act diplomatically? is a question that all Tamils should ask themselves?
The curse that fell on the Tamil community continues even now. The TULF had accepted the sole representative position of the LTTE only in regard to the peace process and the talks with the Government. But the false propaganda that the TULF is opposed to recognizing the LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamil People, got deeply embedded in the hearts of the Tamils.
Several elections helped only some to retain their positions. We have with us several ideas collected from various sources from different angles about the situation presently prevailing in the country. Therefore the TULF as a part of its duty will intervene in the matters referred to here in the proper way and guide the people. To achieve this we will muster the full support of our people. Excluding the electoral district of Digamadulla, we will be contesting all the other four electoral districts in the North and the East and the electoral district of Colombo.
In the name of Thanthai Chelva the TULF calls for full support at the elections and various other assistances that are need for its campaign, from the Tamil People, spread all over the country and abroad. Massive victory of the TULF at the elections will help Thanthai Chelva’s soul, that is roaming above restlessly for over 26 years from the time the ITAK was revived without proper authority, to Rest in Peace. He died as the founder leader and President of the TULF, and not as the leader of the ITAK which he wound up with the silver jubilee celebration held on 18th December 1974.
Unity of the Tamil people
At the 2010 Parliamentary elections, although the TNA polled only 10% of the votes, the Leader of the group called for Unity of all the Tamil parties. TULF responded favourably and President visited Chennai to meet the leader of the TNA who was resting after an operation and offered to give unconditional support. At the local elections the TULF campaigned with the TNA. At the subsequent Provincial Council Election the leader of the TULF contested on the TNA ticket. Some members of a constituent party of the TNA, campaigned against the TNA’s nominee from the TULF and defeated its candidate. Inspite of this plot the TULF, in the interest of the Tamil cause, is still prepared to extend its support to the TNA. A particular party in the TNA should take full responsibility for this mess.
Suitable solution for Ethnic Conflict.
Till all ethnic groups forget their differences, and live peacefully enjoying equal rights, the TULF suggests that the Indian model as a solution for the ethnic problem, since this proposal is much welcomed by both the Government and the Opposition. The TULF will suggest to the Government to implement it or if there is great demand, may implement the 13th amendment. Demand for any other solution could wait till absolute peace returns to the country and the people live peacefully enjoying equal rights and the people are ready to review the proposal.
Another proposal that can be considered is the 1995 proposal of President Chandrika Bandaranaya Kumaratunga, acclaimed as the best solution ever offered and well received by many. According to ex-Judge R. T. Vicknaraja this proposal was welcomed even by the political advisor of the LTTE the Late Mr. Anton Balasingam at the opening of the Courts in Kilinochchi in 2002.
Merger of the North and the East
It is difficult to unify two districts of which one has predominately two ethnic groups and the other three ethnic groups, without absolute amity prevailing. Recently an attempt was made by one group to use the Head of the state to interfere with the election of Chairman of the Provincial Council and failed. There are lot of things to learn from this. The TULF while supporting the merger will move for readjustment of the territory and such other related matters for the merger to be successful.
What happened is not a change of Government.
During the interim period of the 100 day administration of the new President, attempts were made by some groups to get certain demands of their’s approved. This caused much embarrassments to the new President and even weakened his position to the advantage of the defeated ex-president and strengthened his position. Absolute caution should have been observed in dealing with the President whose powers were very much reduced and several groups of the same party operating within.
Release of political prisoners
The recent reports reveled that certain party which claimed to have met the Hon Minister of Justice and discussed the issue of those who are detained, ultimately turned out to be a false report. The relatives of those detained suffer more than the detenus themselves. The TULF will bring pressure on the Government to at-least have the ladies and children released and others to be consider for rehabilitation, if there is any problem about their release.
Confusion created by the involvement of South Africa in the ethnic issue
From the time of Indira Gandhi the Sri Lankan ethnic issue had been dealt with by Indian Government up to the assumption of his Excellency N Modi as the Prime minster of India. It is the Indian Government that had rushed to Sri Lanka with medical teams and other requirements in the event of national disasters like Tsunami etc. The TULF with all respects to South Africa will insists on India continuing its efforts to solve the ethnic issue. If not India also will lose it’s interest. Those who are responsible for this situation must stop dealing with any country other than India on the ethnic issue. The TULF will pressurise the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the ethnic issue with Indian Participation.
Rehabilitation and Resettlement of displaced persons
The TULF will pressurise the Government for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced persons. Under this scheme the TULF will pressure the Government for:-
- To continue to return the golden articles seized from the LTTE by the forces
- Pay compensation and for rehabilitation with money realized by the sale of gold and currency seized.
- Commence issue of Ration Cards for people who have become paupers due to the war to enable them to obtain food items free or under subsidy.
- As an alternative provide finical assistance for self-employment.
- As far as possible resettlement should be in the land belonging to the owners.
Fishing Dispute
The dispute between the Indian and the Sri Lankan fishermen should be solved to the satisfaction of both parties, failing which serious developments may take place to the detriment of both sides.
For the relief of the relatives of assassinated politicians
For the satisfaction of the relatives of assassinated leaders, everyone is aware that proper investigation had not taken place in respect of the assassination of the political leaders. While thanking the Government for reopening the assassination cases of Mr. T. Maheswaran and Mr. N. Raviraj, the four sensational murders that should be investigated are those of Messer’s A. Thangathurai, Kingsly Rajanayagam, Chandra Nehru and Jospeh Pararajasingam as demanded by their relatives.
The TULF will join hands with progressive Sinhalese and Muslim leaders to bring back much wanted peace and amity among all section of the people to enable them to create a new Sri Lanka, where all will live as citizens enjoying equal rights and privileges.
