Jaffna Bishop, Rt.Rev.Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam, said that the Tamil people in Jaffna should not make the mistake they made at the last Presidential election, but vote at the upcoming presidential election.
He expressed these views when Opposition Common Candidate, General Sarath Fonseka met him at the Bishop’s Residence in Jaffna. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, DPF leader Mano Ganesan and former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva accompanied the General on his visit.
“The fallout that occurred with Tamils in the North not voting at the last presidential election was great. History should not repeat itself. They should be free to caste their vote according to their conscience,” he said
Expressing his views on Tamils living in Jaffna at present the Bishop further said, “Still they suffer from the after-effects of war. After this Presidential election people need a lasting solution to the problems facing Tamils in the country. Strict security measures taken during the time of the war should be eased so that people can move about freely and be treated as equals.” The problems faced by traders and fishermen in the area also deserve attention, said the Jaffna Bishop.
Gen. Fonseka speaking at the event said, “People in Jaffna are also citizens of this country and as such should be treated equal to those living in other parts of the country. It is high time that highways between Jaffna and Colombo are constructed. The people in the North have suffered enough.”
Taking part in the discussion, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe said urgent solutions should be brought forward to remedy the breakdown of law and order in the country.“ Freedom of speech is fast disappearing and the will of the people is being suppressed. If we win the upcoming presidential election, we will make sure that everyone’s rights are safeguarded and respected,” he added.
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