Presidential Polls 2005 Sumanthiran regrets boycott by Northern Tamils

By Yohan Perera in Jaffna   

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who contested the presidential election in 2005 was unfortunately defeated as a result of the Tamils in the North boycotting the election, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said.

 He said it was essential to make another effort to fulfil the political aspirations of the people in the North without further delay.   

The MP addressing Saturday’s opening ceremony of the Enterprise Sri Lanka Exhibition in Jaffna,  said the Prime Minister had pledged to implement a federal-based power devolution in 2005.   “We see economic resurgence in the North but the political aspirations of the Northern people should also be fulfilled,” he said and lauded the Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said they had both been consistent on acknowledging the rights of the minorities. At the foundation-stone-laying ceremony of the Jaffna Town Hall earlier during the day, the TNA MP said both the old Town Hall and the Jaffna Library, which were iconic buildings in the Peninsula were destroyed by the then government and the armed forces. The MP was specific in saying the library was destroyed by a former UNP government in which the current Prime Minister was also a Cabinet minister.