People in North, South unite against PTA is a major victory: Sumanthiran

22 September 2022 10:46 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe is failing in all his attempts to retain power with the backing of the Rajapaksas as finally the people in the north have united with their brethren in the south in the campaign for repealing the draconian law PTA, Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran said.

MP Sumanthiran who was amongst a number of opposition politicians and civil society activists who attended the event to submit signatures to a mobile campaign in Galle Face said today that it is a tremendous victory the people have achieved against the corrupt rulers.

“The draconian law of Prevention of Terrorism Act was introduced in 1979 as a temporary provisions act for six months but it continued to remain throughout four decades enabling the reigning governments to use it against dissent.

It is a victory as this struggle started in the North by its oppressed people way before during the war-torn times have managed to unite with the people in the south as the current rulers are using it to silence civil activists in Galle Face Aragalaya, who are fighting for a better political system,” he said.

Human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, who had been detained under the PTA for more than even 90 days said that he had witnessed how suspects detained along with him were treated with cruelty and interrogation involving torture.

“It is high time that people gathered against this inhumane law, which had always been used to silence those who would criticize the government,” he said.

A countrywide signature campaign was launched by Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) Youth Front along with Justice for All from Kankesanthurai from September 10 reached Colombo this afternoon, where the signatures were collected from the public and other interested parties at the Galle Face Green.

The campaign, which is scheduled to go further down south to Hambantota is expected to collect more than one million signatures out of which about 500,000 has been received thus far, an organiser said.

Parliamentarians Eran Wickramaratne, Mujibur Rahuman, Hirunika Premachandra, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Rauff Hakeem, Tissa Attanayake with social activists Pubudu Jagoda, Dharmasiri Lankapeli and Joseph Stalin together with artistes were present.

The first signature was placed by former defence secretary Austin Fernando. (Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana)

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Comments - 12

pantha Kumaran Thursday, 22 September 2022 11:38 PM

There is no issues with Sinhalese and Tamils. But the politicians are doing business for the past 70 years on that. Even today people like Prasanna Ranatunge, who is convicted, is doing business on the same. There is no future to our country.

Victim Thursday, 22 September 2022 11:44 PM

Now it’s obvious, Tamils ignored. When the Sinhalese feels the pinch they join the Tamils. Never trust the Sinhalese politicians. Remember 13 A amendment and beyond promised to the world by the senior pakshe. He hits below the belt.

Cheers Friday, 23 September 2022 01:17 AM

You are a tiger when you are talking about south you are reffering to jvp 3% so it's not a agreement and if you have a vote no pass

Kumara Friday, 23 September 2022 02:09 AM

How can Christian Tamil Sumanthiran represent the Tamils when he needs police protection every time he goes to Jaffna.

Nandasena R Friday, 23 September 2022 02:51 AM

Please keep the PTA for a while and apply this law on all those politicians who looted the country's coffers. Start with Rajapakses, Wimal Weerawansa, Ranil Wickramasinghe, Maithiripala Sirisena, Keheliya Rambukwella Etc. Their terrorism is the worst kind that has been inflicted on all citizens regardless of age or sex.

Punchi Friday, 23 September 2022 03:09 AM

South Korea which was totally decimated in by the end of 1953 is now a technological and economic powerhouse, we are begging money from them. We have been at war with our minorities and now between ourselves and have become and will remain number one beggar house.

KOKUVILAN Friday, 23 September 2022 05:40 AM

SUMANTHIRAN-Please do not trust these south singala political party guys thinking they will support your effort to get a reasonable settlement for tamils political demands.once they get their problems solved they will leave you on the middle of the road-JAYAWEEWA

Nandasena R Friday, 23 September 2022 08:15 AM

Unfortunately people of North and East have been considered as unwanted citizens (pests) since independence by most of the majority Sinhalese Buddhists. What you are saying is no surprise to the Tamils who have migrated long ago to greener pastures. However, when the government is in need of foreign investment where do they turn to? No surprise there!! Blood is on every majority Sinhalese Buddhist politicians hand since independence including D S Senanayake. The difference is the degree of immersion of their respective hands. However, no one can beat the rabid Rajapakses!!

sacre blieu Friday, 23 September 2022 09:48 AM

Lujckshman Kadiriagama and even Neelan Thiruchelvam were two of the finest statesmen and unbiased cultured gentlemen in this country. Cruelty took them away from us. More so, Chandrikas greatest failure is that he was deied his tru place in the gov ernnac of this country , by not appointing him at even as Prime Minister.

Prageeth wijesinghe Friday, 23 September 2022 10:11 AM

Grandest of all grand plans. Get the separate land carved out from the very same people who fought against it..and the stupidest of all fall for it for money, fame etc. Aho Sri Lanka

INUVILAN Friday, 23 September 2022 11:49 AM

Dear Sir, isn't it irony to call Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi in Tamil but again meekly to call it, Federal Party in English and Sinhala. It's only to hoodwink the Tamil people and carry on with your parliamentary privileges unaffected. Tamil Arasu was only in the past.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 23 September 2022 12:00 PM

The burgers of Sri Lanka used to state "Never trust a Sinhalese as far as you can spit". When PTA was used to harass minorities, the Sinhalese did not care a hoot, because it was not them. Now they are getting screwed and now they are concerned.

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People in North, South unite against PTA is a major victory: Sumanthiran

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