Concerns Over Troops Withdrawl

Karu

Manoganesan1There have been concerns over the idea of troops withdrawal from the North if the opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena comes to power. Some claimed that the Tamil parties extended their support to the common opposition candidate based on a promise to withdraw troops from the North. However, the election manifesto of the the opposition common candidate Maithripala Sirisena does not include any such policy or addressing concerns related to Tamil national issue. He had also clearly stated in a rally that he would not withdraw army from the North that would threaten the national security.

Upon that statement, some questioned as to why Tamil political parties extended their support.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader several politicians including a few politicians from minority political parties expressed their point of view.

He Is Only An Interim President

Mano Ganesan – Leader of the Democratic People’s Front (DPF)

Neither in the north nor south people would approve excessive troop presence in their neighborhood. But Troop withdrawal here is a sensitive issue. I think Maithripala was only responding to a quarry raised by UPFA politicians, namely Wimal Weerawansa.

We have not discussed any such issues such as this and national question in the Opposition alliance. Maithripala Sirisena once elected as the president will abolish executive presidency, bring in 17A and repeal 18A and upon fulfilling those tasks the parliament will be dissolved.

He is only an interim President. The new government upon general elections would address all issues related to the Minorities as the political dynamics of the time.

 

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There’s A Disproportionate Number Of Troops In The North

M. A. Sumanthiran – TNA MP

From what I understand what Maithripala Sirisena clearly said was that troops are necessary for national security but land that is being taken for other purposes would be given back to its rightful owners. We also did not request troops to be withdrawn.

We have no issue of troops being there for national security like anywhere else in the country troops should be there only for national security. What we have objected was the disproportionate number of troops in the North. We have clearly stated our reason for supporting Maithri’s campaign.

It is nothing to do with the reduction of the troops or not. We are strongly of the view that President Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot be made the president for the third time.

To achieve that objective we decided to support Maithripala Sirisena. We cannot look at issue by issue in a 100 days programme.

 

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Tamil People Have The Right To Decide

Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe – National Organiser and Media Spokesperson of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)

Maithripala Sirisena has clearly stated his expectations in his manifesto. Those who agree to support the opposition common candidate have agreed to what is mentioned in his election manifesto. Those are rumours initiated by the government, they were saying that Maithri signed separate agreements with Ranil Wickramasinghe, SLMC, Rizard Baduideen, and TNA etc which are baseless allegations.
Maithripala has assured that he would not take any steps that would threaten the country’s security or its sovereignty. There will not be any changes to the current security of the country. Tamil people have the right to decide whom they are going to vote and vote liberally.

Sarath Fonseka the person who was involved in defeating separatism with the opposition candidate and will never do anything to threaten national security. Tamils and Muslims in the country will not be cornered but they should also enjoy their right to vote.