Hold referendum on Sinhala-Tamil coexistence: Sritharan

22 June 2018 04:45 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government should hold a referendum to determine whether the Sinhalese and the Tamils were willing to coexist with each other, TNA MP Sivagnanam Sritharan told Parliament yesterday.

He said the government had not considered the needs of the Northern people and claimed that a sports stadium constructed in Kilinochchi during the previous regime was being held by the army. The MP said the then Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had profited from the construction of the stadium.

Mr. Aluthgamage rejected this allegation and said the TNA MP was up to mischief.

Meanwhile, State Minister Harsha De Silva criticized MP Sritharan for still clinging on to extremist ideologies.

“The pre-hospital ambulance service has helped the people in the North but you didn’t even have the courtesy to mention it. Tell us whether you really need it,” he asked Mr. Sritharan.

State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne said Dr. De Silva should not have asked if the TNA MP wanted the ambulance service because the government should seek the people’s opinion and not the approval of MPs to implement such projects. “We only need permission from the people to carry out such projects,” he said. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)

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Comments - 18

Dhammika Friday, 22 June 2018 06:09 AM

If there is any community that is closes CULTURELY , SOCIALY and RELIGIOUSLY to the Sri Lankan Tamil community is none other than the SINGHALESE BUDDHISTS ! .

Saradiel Friday, 22 June 2018 06:32 AM

He has forgotten that Sinhalese and Tamils coexist all over the country except in North where the Sinhalese and even Tamil speaking Muslims were chased away completely. So why do you need a referendum? First tell us whether you are willing to call back all those people to their own lands.

Cricy Saturday, 23 June 2018 01:45 AM

Yes. Lets first hold this referendum to Colombo, especially Wellawatta area.

Patriot Friday, 22 June 2018 06:51 AM

Dear MP Sritharan,Don't be a 'frog in the well'. Are other multicultural countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. have held referendum on this co-existence? Be realistic on a small Island, and live with the majority and multi cultures mutually and peacefully while maintaining your identity.

Buddhi Perera Friday, 22 June 2018 07:00 AM

This man should have realised that coexistence had been there in southern part of the country even when the brutal massacres carried out by the LTTE (with the approval of people like Sivagnanam Sritharan). These are the people who destroy the coexistence while shouting for coexistence

Kumar Friday, 22 June 2018 07:27 AM

Holding referendum on Sinhala-Tamil coexistence doesn’t make any sense at all. Prabakaran has sacrificed thousands of innocent Tamils and made others to flee Sri Lanka permanently.For all intent and purposes the existence of Tamils as Sri Lankan Tamils is almost over.Prabakaran succeeded in this,which even the European invaders of the Tamil North couldn’t achieve.

Ivory Friday, 22 June 2018 07:34 AM

We have to live together, it is fundamental for all our existence.

SL Friday, 22 June 2018 07:48 AM

after the war,gvt was focused much towards north and east,yet this bastered is always has something to say so as he can ignite communal disharmony this bugger has a land and a hotel in Wellawatta?

Saman Friday, 22 June 2018 07:56 AM

The Fact is, Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country. Only option Tamils and the other minorities have is to learn to coexist with the Sinhalese majority. If they don't, they can jump in the Indian ocean and head back to Tamil Nadu or where ever they came from! Unfortunately, Sri Lanka doesn't have politicians with balls to point that out to these ex LTTE politicians who still dream, dead Velu's dreams. Real reconciliation is all about these minorities accepting the fact that SL is Sinhala buddhist country. Sri Lanka do not need minorities. Minorities need SL!

Mandayan Friday, 22 June 2018 12:50 PM

People like you are the very reason why the nation failed to succeed since independence!!

Dhammika Friday, 22 June 2018 07:59 AM

If there is ANY community that is CLOSEST , CULTURALY , RELIGIOUS and SOCIALLY to the SINGHALESE people of Sri Lanka it is none other than the TAMIL community . IE . Singhalese and Tamil New Year in April every year .

Ram Friday, 22 June 2018 08:11 AM

You and TNA are curse to this nation always trying to inflict ethnic hatred....me being a Sri Lankan with my mother tongue Tamil is co existing with my 95% friends who's mother tongue is sinhalese. Tri Forces are there to protect the nation and they can occupy any where in Sri Lanka......North does not belong to a particular ethnicity it is called "Sri Lanka".......still selling hatred to exist very cheaply.......

Sangaralingham Friday, 22 June 2018 09:01 AM

Politicians in dome form or another has ruined the countryMinority rights violated. Teachings of Buddha not respected.. No one knows what is going within the country what directions elected politicians are taking it. or not interested in making a country a dignified nation. Corruption vey high social equilibrium is upsid down.

shavi@live.dk Friday, 22 June 2018 09:14 AM

just he wanted to over take vicky and sivajilingam

Jiff Friday, 22 June 2018 09:44 AM

And if people vote not to co-exist would you all go to some other country?

JeffK Friday, 22 June 2018 09:46 AM

Slowly but surely the referendum for Tamil eelam is coming. When that day arrives our idiots will start blaming Bandaranayake, Mahinda etc. Such ungrateful buffoons are our so called educated people.

Kumaran Friday, 22 June 2018 11:26 AM

There has been no development in the North and East. No factories, No jobs, No inter continental airport to improve economy and tourism, No commercial harbour, no road developments except the Palaly and KKS road for the army vehicles to ply. Private lands occupied by forces. In no other country such forceful occupation seen. Remember 1958, 1977, 1983, burning of Jaffna library,Arson, looting and rapes.Two languages, two religions, two cultures, two ethnicities needs more autonomy to co exist. Thus North and East needs more autonomy to the Tamil speaking people.When there are no jobs Tamils will have to move towards the places with jobs.

Manel Saturday, 23 June 2018 08:07 AM

I think all communities should learn the 3 Ls. Live,Love and Learn together.

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Hold referendum on Sinhala-Tamil coexistence: Sritharan

Comments - 18

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