13 August 2010 09:39 am
The treatment and forgiveness shown by the government towards former LTTE leader Kumaran Padmanadan, alias "KP" is unacceptable when ex- LTTE combatants and IDP’s are still detained, TULF leader V.Anandasangaree said while making his presentation at the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee (LLRC) today.
He added that the there were more than 10,500 youth held as detainees in rehabilitation camps and that it was crime to label these children as ex-combatants as they were our children.
Mr. Anadasangaree warned the government to beware about depending on KP and his followers. “The money which he is now claiming to invest in Sri Lanka’s development activities was earned through illegal or sinful means. I don’t think the country should be made part of these sins by using the money for development,” he added.
Mr. Anandasangaree said even though the living conditions of civilians in Jaffna were improving the plight of those in Vavuniya and Kilinochchi was sad.
“The government must do more to upgrade the living standards of these people as well,” he said.
Mr. Anandasangaree said maintaining a high military presence in the North and plans to establish Army camps be reviewed by the government.
“What is the meaning of liberalization if the civilians are there continue to remain under a military presence? It is a case of people being tossed from the frying pan into the fire,” he said. “Most of the homes are still occupied by the military. They are not asking for much, they only want to be released from camps and for their homes to be returned,” he said.