|
|
Karuna set sights on elections
Wednesday, 9 August 2006 - 10:36 PM SL Time
|
|
|
A band of breakaway rebels in Sri Lanka whose feuding with the mainstream Tamil Tigers is stoking fears of a return to civil war opened an office in the capital on Wednesday, aiming to eventually contest elections.
The Tigers accuse the group, led by renegade commander Col. Karuna, of attacking them with the help of the military. President Mahinda Rajapakse`s government refuses to disarm Karuna`s group -- which led to the collapse of peace talks between the government and the Tigers earlier this year.
The office is being opened as the military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are locked in the fiercest fighting since a 2002 truce halted a two-decade civil war and as clashes between the two bands of rebels escalates.
`We have opened our political head office of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) in Colombo to actively participate in political activities,` party spokesman Thangaweel Thuyawan told Reuters by telephone via a translator.
`We are hoping to contest upcoming elections under the name of TMVP with the blessings of our leader Karuna Amman.`
Provincial council elections are not due until 2009, while the next general election is due in 2010.
First, TMVP must register itself as a recognised political party.
The opening of the new office comes a day after suspected Tiger rebels attacked a minority Tamil political opponent from a party allied to the government with a car bomb in Colombo, killing his bodyguard and a three-year-old boy.
`There is a threat to us, but it`s a duty of the government to give the security to our political party,` Thuyawan said.
Karuna split from the Tigers, taking an estimated 6,000 loyal fighters with him, in early 2004 after accusing the leadership of discriminating against Tamils in the east -- his traditional stronghold.
Most of his followers are believed to have either returned to civilian life or rejoined the Tigers, and his force is now estimated to number a few hundred at most. Karuna, widely considered to be shadowy rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran`s No.2 before the split, has lived in hiding since.
`Whether the leader Karuna Amman contests the next elections cannot be confirmed now but definitely the party will contest and he might contest the elections as the party leader,` Thuyawan said.
|
|
|
Achcharu
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 961
Member Profile
|
9 Aug 2006 15:43:28 GMT Report for Abuse
|
| What discrimination are we talking about? SL must be the only country that allow split away terrorists to join the mainstream politics. Imagine USA allowing Al-queda number 2 to join US politics? or even neutralizing him as a US citizen! I think it is time LTTE drop their bogus claims and let the 19.4million people who want to live in peace conduct theirlives. Majority of the lankans want to live good, eat well, build a house, educate their childre, take a vacation etc. Nobody wants to wage war against each other. Its time LTTE decide whether they want to forever continue the battle or join hands and come to mainstream politics. |
Achcharu
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 961
Member Profile
|
9 Aug 2006 15:45:27 GMT Report for Abuse
|
| I know all the LTTE supporters who live in OTHER countries will have so many things to say. But, trust me I know what is happening in Sri Lanka. Most just want to live in peace, including me. If all these so called SL desserters advocate war they need to come down to the country and conduct their day-to-day life in the island. How easy is it for some to runaway to another land and pour their thoughts through some site. |
Mahabala
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3459
Member Profile
|
9 Aug 2006 15:46:02 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Uptodate Tamils around the globe did not have a leadership.
Only hope is Karuna!
He is a true leader in all sides! |
Mahabala
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3459
Member Profile
|
9 Aug 2006 15:46:45 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Worldwide Tamils suffered lack of leadership.
but no anymore fuffering! |
srimal111
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2791
Member Profile
|
9 Aug 2006 15:46:52 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Good, if LTTE was behaving good, they would have also had an office in multi ethnic colombo.
sadly LTTE wants a concept mono ethnic land. which is not possible.
if LTTE opens an office in colombo then they will call it the Home land, so thats not possible. |
Mahabala
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3459
Member Profile
|
9 Aug 2006 15:47:29 GMT Report for Abuse
|
| Karuna's every action bring real readership. |
Achcharu
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 961
Member Profile
|
9 Aug 2006 15:48:11 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Nishan
Joke of the day, month, year & century.
What is the joke here? He is practcal. He knows neither he or anyone would have a good life in wanni if they do not come for mainstream politics. It is time that the Tamil leaders have a strong body and battle politically against LTTE. The power is in Tamils who live in SL than Tamils who live about 16,000 miles away from the Island. |
|
Search All News and Discussions