Hakeem hits out at President, Toppigala show

Hours after a parliament speech, hitting out at the government’s victory celebration at Independence Square on Thursday, Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem repeated his criticism at a business-peace forum. The celebrations to mark the capture of Toppigala was 'a spectacle’, Mr. Hakeem said addressing the 8th Business for Peace Forum organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL).

“Our Tamil brothers feel very estranged, now even more than before,” he said. Mr. Hakeem said he voiced his criticisms in Parliament the same day, not to take away from the achievements of the security forces but to highlight that the celebrations had created the feeling that the nation had conquered an alien territory.

"That is the perceived message," he said, adding that Tamils felt bitter and upset and the government had added insult to injury.
Mr. Hakeem described President Mahinda Rajapaksa's speech on Thursday as compassionate but combative, filled with invectives and venom against the political opposition when a national function should be devoid of partisan politics.

"Our forces marched gallantly but we sent out a message that was negative to one section of the country," he said. He was also critical of the unveiling of the new Eastern flag at Independence Square. The flag was designed with an eagle representing Trincomalee, a lion Ampara and a fish Batticaloa. "Whom did they consult for the symbols?" he asked.

"We must also look at the political structure. Principles of good governance should be added to the constitution. The Constitutional Council is in limbo and the executive is merrily going about making appointments,” Hakeem said. He said the President had appointed a police commissioner, a judicial service commissioner and a public service commissioner without anyone questioning him on the legality of the appointments.

Mr. Hakeem said he recently had a discussion with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and told him that success for the development of the East lies in reforming the police. The forces must reflect the ethnic composition in the area for residents to live in an environment which is devoid of fear and retribution.

Mr. Hakeem said elections in the East were welcome but it was futile to speak of them until the climate of fear and insecurity was abated and total normalcy achieved.