Lankans should be ashamed of politicians who try to create unwanted issues: Rasamanickam

• My mother has the right to hold a memorial service for me if I die. She has the right to commemorate me even if I am a murderer

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

All Sri Lankans should be ashamed of all politicians who try to create unwanted issues, TNA MP S Rasamanickam told Parliament over the weekend.   

Mr. Rasamanickam said unwanted issues are created by not allowing the Muslims to conduct last rites who succumb to COVID-19. “Muslims are only asking for the right to conduct the last rites of their dead. They go to courts to win their rights,” he said.   

“I am also ashamed of those Muslim MPs who voted for the 20th Amendment,” he added.   

“You don’t allow the Tamils to celebrate their festival of lights. They are accusing the Tamils of honouring the LTTE Leaders. My mother has the right to hold a memorial service for me if I die. She has the right to commemorate me even if I am a murderer. I feel sorry for the Sinhalese as they are badly misled,” he also said.   

Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga who responded said Tamil MPs should remember that Sri Lanka had gone backwards because of LTTE.   

“Some wants to commemorate Prabhakaran who destroyed the nation. Others may want to commemorate Zahran who led the Easter Sunday attacks if we allow the commemoration of LTTE Leaders,” the Minister said.