EPDP cries foul
[May 6, 2003 - 10.45 GMT]
In the
wake of the slaying of another member of its party on Saturday, the fourth
in as many weeks, the EPDP head has written a three page letter to the
President. Douglas Devananda has bitterly complained to the President that
the lives of his members are at grave risk.
The
Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) has urged President Kumaratunga to
intervene. Devananda says that consequent to the Ceasefire Agreement between
the Government and the LTTE in February 2002, the EPDP was ‘compelled’ to
hand back its weapons to the Government. The EPDP is hopeful the President
will authorise the provision legitimate weapons to the party to protect its
members.
“The Government promised the EPDP that it would provide
protection using the State’s police and armed forces. Terrorist attacks on
area leaders of our party and other democratic parties such as EPRLF and
PLOTE have increased”
Devananda laments and adds, “Unfortunately; the
State’s law and order machinery is a silent spectator in this sordid
exercise of the LTTE.”
The
EPDP leader has in his letter requested the President to get an undertaking
from the LTTE that it would recognize political pluralism and the democratic
rights of the people of the North and East.
The
latest killing – the second in 16 days - reported on Saturday evening, was
that of the former Chairman of the Karaveddi Predeshiya Sabha in Jaffna who
was allegedly shot dead by two LTTE pistol group members at Point Pedro.
Meanwhile President Kumaratunga has directed the three service commanders
and the IGP to take immediate steps to ensure the security of the EPDP
members. She also directed them to speed up investigations on the killings
and to arrest those involved.
The
President has also expressed her condolence to EPDP leader Douglas Devananda
over the untimely deaths of EPDP members.
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Last Updated
Date: May 06, 2003 - 10.45
GMT. |
