<b>Govt. betrays NE people — JVP</b>

Himangi Jayasundere - The Island

The government has betrayed the people of the north and east JVP spokesman, Wimal Weerawansa said on Wednesday.

He said that the LTTE has been provided with the necessary pre-requisites for the establishment of a separate state by the government.

"The Government has betrayed the north and east to the LTTE to carry out its own activities," he told a press conference.

The MOU signed between the government and the LTTE accepts the concept of a separate army for the LTTE and as a result indirectly accepts a separate state, he said

The Sinhalese and Muslims continue to be subjected to extortion by the LTTE. "The people of the north and east have been left helpless in the clutches of the LTTE after the government started withdrawing government troops following the cease-fire agreement."

"The LTTE is attempting to build up the image of a separate administration to confirm its claims to the International Community."

He pointed out that it was all being done with "the government’s blessings."

Advertisement are freely carried in national newspapers for the recruitment of staff to the Eelam Police and a Eelam Bank, he claimed.

Mr. Weerawansa said that the JVP together with several other associations representing various groups in society will hold a mass protest on July 31. The protest will feature three key issues, the threat on the unitary state of the country, the economic fall of the country and the high cost of living. "Choksy said that within two weeks of introducing his package the price of goods will be reduced, show us this reduction. Nothing has reduced," he said.

These are problems that affect us all so we have decided to unite and take a stand, Mr. Weerawansa said.

He said that the government did not appear to have any other alternatives for the economic crisis in the country except to sell existing resources and was attempting to privatise even profitable institutions like the Insurance Corporation.

Dr. Channa Ariyaratne of the University of Colombo said that the cease-fire agreement between the government and the LTTE was graver than the 1815 agreement signed by the Kandyan king and the British colonial emperors. When the economy of a country collapses it affects the political and social structure of a country he said. He claimed that the government was selling public institutions under the guise of privatisation.

According to Mr.Weerawansa the destination of the protest campaign has not yet been decided. About 50,000 people are expected to participate from all over the island. Among the other associations which will participate in the protest are the ‘Jathika Bhikshu Peramuna,’ ‘Peoples Association of the East’ and the Inter Company Employers union

The Island