Shun negativity - EPRLF

1 November 2010 03:00 am - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A Sri Lankan Tamil militant group turned political party has urged the Tamil diaspora to be “realistic” to achieve a better political deal now that the Tamil Tigers are history.

The Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) issued the appeal to the vast Tamil diaspora community spread around the world at a two-day conference that took place in Paris.

The EPRLF call comes amid intense churning in the Tamil community based outside Sri Lanka, many of whom used once backed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in varying ways.

“The diaspora has to be realistic in defining a Tamil political solution,” an EPRLF leader told IANS on telephone from London. “The time has come when the politics of negativity has to be given up.

“Now that the war has ended, people must take a different approach (towards Tamil political issues),” he said. “Negative politics pursued by the LTTE and its supporters will only worsen the situation.”

The reference was to the still pro-LTTE section of the Tamil diaspora which continues to propagate the idea of an independent Tamil Eelam state to be carved out of Sri Lanka’s northeast.

The EPRLF was once a militant group which later presided over the provincial administration in Sri Lanka’s northeast when the Indian troops were deployed in the region in 1987-90.

The LTTE gunned down the EPRLF leadership in India’s Chennai city in 1990. Since then, the EPRLF has limped on. It has a member in the eastern provincial assembly but is otherwise a pale shadow of its former self.

But the EPRLF has teamed up with several similar Tamil groups and activists now to form what is known as “Tamil Arangam” - a grouping that seeks a better political deal for the Tamils within Sri Lanka.

Forty delegates from Sri Lanka, France, Britain, Switzerland and Germany gathered in Paris for the October 23-24 meeting that debated the situation in Sri Lanka and the vast Tamil diaspora community.

The Paris meet felt that the LTTE’s end was a blessing in disguise for the Tamils.
“If the war had not ended, it would have only caused more deaths and destruction,” said the EPRLF leader, providing a gist of the discussions.

The Tamil separatist campaign spearheaded by the LTTE claimed around 90,000 lives from 1983 till 2009, becoming one of the bloodiest sectarian conflicts in modern history.
A key speaker in Paris was Annamali Varadaraja Perumal, the former chief minister of Sri Lanka’s northeast who has moved back to his country after living in India for nearly two decades.

Perumal is playing a major role in the revival of the EPRLF in the north and east of Sri Lanka, reviving a network that got silenced when the LTTE dominated the region leaving no room for anyone else.

In recent months, the EPRLF has held 70-80 meetings, both in the Tamil-majority Northern Province and the multi-racial east where Tamils, Tamil-speaking Muslims and Sinhalese live in near equal numbers.

“We will try to engage the Sri Lankan government in a positive way,” said the EPRLF leader. “We have to persuade the government to act sensibly.” IANS

Source: Gulf-Times

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 6

wasala Monday, 01 November 2010 03:17 AM

EPRLF has come a long way but yet to unite.
Suresh premachandran with TNA and Perumal toeing SL government line.
Why can't they shun negativity and unite first before telling others to do so.

knight Rider Monday, 01 November 2010 03:18 AM

Transparent Verbal Discussions in a civilized manner is always healthy for the nation and the politicians

Sinnappa Monday, 01 November 2010 03:25 AM

The EPRLF leaders want to persuade the government to act sensibly.
What harm did the government do to make such a plea?

Kamalan Monday, 01 November 2010 04:26 AM

LTTE caused massive untold misery and destruction to Tamul nation...
diaspora should stop propagating LTTE lunacy...

Sena Monday, 01 November 2010 05:42 AM

Waste of time listening to these politiicans acting like still believing SL govt's empty promises.

eddy Monday, 01 November 2010 04:19 PM

The Tamils must understand that the war is over, Ask what you can do for your country and not what your country can do for you..

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Shun negativity - EPRLF

Comments - 6

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand