JVP opposes British Govt’s moves

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: The JVP vehemently opposing British government’s undue influence to its Sri Lankan counterpart over its ethnic issue, urges the peace-loving British public to change their government’s stand and approach therein.

Issuing a communique the JVP Politbureau categorically denounces the airing of pro-LTTE sentiments and the unprecedented gesture of holding a debate on the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict in the British Westminister Parliament last Wednesday.

At this debate, LTTE’s Chief Negotiator Thamilselvam has been invited to attend Parliament to seek his views on the issue.

It has also been planned to arrange in London a summit between representatives of the Sri Lankan and the Norwegian governments and the LTTE, a visit to Sri Lanka, particularly to uncleared areas by a delegation of all party members, for a constructive dialogue.

The JVP questions the legitimacy of the British government in holding such a debate and asks whether they are still obsessed with a Colonial attitude towards their former colony of Ceylon, which gained independance in 1948.

The JVP condemns the interference of the present British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, and his expression of solidarity with an Editor of an English newspaper pertaining to a controversial media report involving the Defence Secretary and the Editor of the newspaper.

They point out that at a time when the LTTE has been engaged in terrorism, inclusive of ‘Credt Card’ scandals on British soil, the British government is obliged to arrest terrorist Tamilselvam, instead of arranging for him to address Parliament.

The Sri Lankan people as a nation could not be considered as merely a ‘Puppet Colony’ and it will be prepared to rise up against any mighty regime when necessary, the communique further adds.