Local and international media did not give much publicity for the people particularly the Muslims who were evicted from their original lands by the LTTE in Jaffna, stated Veteran Journalist Manik de Silva making representations at the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission yesterday (13).

He added that there is a generation who grew up with the war and they have been taught by the LTTE that Sinhalese are a ruthless community and this perception should be removed from their minds.

He stressed there is no hatred between communities and the Sinhalese being the majority community came forward for the rescue of Tamils when the communal flames raged in 1983. "I do not think there is real enmity between the communities in the country. We all have friends of other communities,” he added.

The contribution of the total population of the country towards ensuring normal life for the displaced people in the North would be useful, he stressed.

A number of individuals and organizations are doing a lot of things but they do not get proper publicity, he added.

He also noted that journalists still require permission from the defence authorities to visit the North and that they should have free access to Jaffna and other areas in the North.

Meanwhile, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has decided to testify before the Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation when they meet in Kilinochchi this week. The LLRC will hear representations on September 16, 17 and 18.