CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Govt-LTTE ideologies alike, says Namal after Cambridge union cancellation
Colombo, Feb. 21 (Daily Mirror) - The ideology of the Government and that of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) now appear similar, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa alleged, following the cancellation of his scheduled lecture at the Cambridge Union in the United Kingdom.
Addressing the media, Rajapaksa claimed that although LTTE terrorism was defeated militarily, its diaspora network remains ideologically active in countries such as England, other European nations and Canada, continuing to advocate for a separate state.
“We defeated LTTE terrorism militarily, but ideologically the LTTE diaspora is still operational. There are many who continue to support that ideology,” he said.
Rajapaksa questioned what he described as similarities between the current Government’s stance and that of the LTTE, referring to a recent statement made by the President during a visit to Jaffna. Citing the remark that “Buddhists in the South were not able to pass through Anuradhapura to observe sil,” he said such statements raise concerns about the Government’s ideological direction.
“If the President of the country makes such a statement, when we go to Great Britain representing Sri Lanka’s national ideology, is it acceptable for LTTE supporters there to tell us not to come to Great Britain?” he asked.
Rajapaksa had been invited to address both the Oxford Union and the Cambridge Union at the end of February during his visit to the UK.
However, several Tamil diaspora groups based in Britain, including the Tamil Student Unions of the United Kingdom and the Tamil Youth Organization of Britain (TYO UK), issued a joint statement opposing his participation and called for the cancellation of the event.
Amid protests and mounting pressure, organisers decided to cancel the Cambridge Union lecture.
Comments - 29
Recommended
You May Also Like
Trending
