Vanni Tamil people want TNA MP to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa

“The people of Vanni have asked me to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the forthcoming Presidential election and urged me to work for his victory,” said Sathasivam Kanagaratnam , the TNA Member of Parliament from the Vanni electoral district.

The TNA MP, who was with the people in Vanni until 16 May 2009, till the end of the humanitarian operation against the Tamil Tigers, was recently released from the detention on a concerted campaign by Asian Tribune, as well as by the Minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen, who is also his parliamentary colleague from the Vanni electoral district.

After his release from detention, Kanagaratnam is presently living in a Government quarters in Vavuniya with his family members.

The Asian Tribune learnt that he visited some parts of Mullaitivu district where people have been recently resettled and also in the Vavunikulam area last Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Kanakaratnam told Asian Tribune that on Sunday he visited Vannivilankulam, Vavunikulam, Mallavi, Aalankulam and Yogapuram 3rd unit in the Thunukkai AGA Division. He visited the areas along with his colleague, well-wisher and friend Minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen and met the people who are recently resettled in these areas.

He said that the people he met in Vanni openly demanded that he, as a Member of Parliament, should support the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who liberated them from the clutches of the Tamil Tiger leader and the LTTE. And today they are able to breathe fresh air of freedom.

Kanakaratnam said that he was right throughout, living with his people and was looking after their interest. He said that he will continue to work for the welfare of the people as demanded by them.

He also said that he has so far not met the President, but he said he would meet him after 26th of this month with a flower bouquet to congratulate him for his victory and to appeal to him to do his utmost to the welfare of the Tamils.

Kanakaratnam said that he is not interested in simply associating with Tamil National Alliance, a political formation the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and oppose the President.

He further said he gives foremost priority to the welfare of the Tamil people and not the unity of the TNA which is only a group of 22 Members of Parliament including himself.

Staying united is a ploy to get elected in the next parliamentary election and nothing else he said.

Kanakaratnam vowed as long as he remains an elected parliamentarian he will work for the welfare of the Tamils.

- Asian Tribune -