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Self determination for the Tamils within a united Sri Lanka: CM
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C.V. Wigneswaran arriving for the innauguaration of the NPC sessions on Friday. Pic courtesy TNAinfo.com
Northern Provincial Council (NPC) Chief Minister (CM) C.V. Wigneswaran addressing the inaugural session of the NPC on Friday, vowed to work within a united Sri Lanka for self-determination of the Tamil people. “Self-determination means not separation. We will work hard through non-violence means for self-determination. We are the partners of this country, not leased people. We fought against British Imperialism. In the future, we will fight for our self-determination,” Mr Wigneswaran said.
The inaugural session was held at the newly-constructed NPC building in Kaithady, Jaffna. The building was declared open by NP Governor, retired Maj.Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri and CM Wigneswaran. In his address, the CM touched on several issues including demilitarisation. He said that the military should be confined to their camps, and the lands taken from the people must be returned to them.
“The military civilian population ratio in the north is 1:5. Demilitarisation will take place step by step. A timeframe must be made for demilitarisation,” he said.
The CM said that soldiers who were engaged in war must return to their normal lives, with the help of some scheme and with the help of the international community.
He also said that there must be a civil servant as NCP Governor, while there was the need for a Tamil-speaking police force for the North.
“Our people are facing difficulties in communicating with the police. Tamil-speaking police personnel should be appointed to this region,” he said.
He added that, arrangements will be made for the resettlement of displaced Muslims, while there should be no room for corruption, bribery and political interferences in this Council.