Gamini Jayalath after Indian tour

There was no government so strong as the one led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and no government with such strength as the present one, said the former Editor of The Hindu newspaper N Ram.

He said what the TNA (Tamil National Alliance) should do is to extend their full support to President Rajapaksa to find a lasting solution to ethnic issue.

Ram said the TNA leadership was silent when the LTTE leadership was acting in similar fashion to the Pol Pot group. They remained silent until the LTTE was defeated. They did all what the LTTE commanded of them and today, as the LTTE has been destroyed by the war, the TNA should use the political freedom for the benefit of the entire country. Hence, the TNA leaders should join hands with the President and support the Government in finding a lasting solution to the ethnic issue.

“In 1987, the LTTE declared war against the Indian Peace Keeping Force. In 1991, they assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This resulted in the people of India distancing themselves from the LTTE. The LTTE lost any rapport and sympathy the y enjoyed up to then with India,” he pointed out.

”Today, the Indian people and especially people in Tamil Nadu have expressed their dislike towards the LTTE.

When a group of Sri Lankan Media personnel went over to the Asian Training Centre for Journalists in India, former Hindu Editor Ram disclosed these facts to them.

However, Ram underscored the fact that the people of Tamil Nadu are of the view that the ethnic issue needs a strong political solution.

“The statement attributed to former Chief Minister Karunanidhi who led the Toso Conference that there should be a referendum to resolve the Tamil issue was only a political statement and no Tamil politician in Tamil Nadu was keen on that, “Ram said.

“Indian Peace Keeping Force Commander Lt. Gen. Digendra Singh said in a interview with the Hindu newspaper in 1987 that it would take about 30 years to end the war.

He said as he was a government servant at the time and had to side by the Government command.

Ram also pointed out that the enemy of the Tamils of Sri Lanka are the Tamil Diaspora leaders.

He said the International Media seems to be supportive from the weight they give to the ethnic issue.

Making reference to Arjuna Ranatunga, Ram said although he is a good cricketer, a cricketing hero, his political policies and principles lack maturity. Ram said the Asian Institute for Journalists is willing to grant scholarships to youth.

President of the Asian Journalist Association Shashi Kumar and Sri Lanka Deputy Commissioner R K M A Rajakaruna also attended the function.