Civil Society representatives from the South meet with LTTE in Kilinochchi
Delegates representing a cross section of civil society in the south visited Kilinochchi today 6 August 2004 and had a meeting with Mr. S.P Tamilselvan Head of the LTTE Political Wing in the LTTE political head quarters.
 The delegation comprised of Buddhist clergy, catholic priests, trade union representatives and media. The visitors briefed Mr. Tamilselvan on their commitment to strengthen the civil society and support the peace process. They explained at length the various steps taken by them in their respective fields to bring about amity and understanding among the different races and religions in this island.  Responding to the focal point raised by the visitors as to what the impediments are in taking forward the peace process, Mr.Tamilselvan said that the upholding of the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) and taking steps to restore normalcy to the war devastated Northeast region are the most important and urgent steps to be taken to remove the impediments. The Tamil people, Mr.Tamilselvan said, are very much disappointed that they have not become beneficiaries of the peace dividends. Normalcy for them, he said, is restoring their rights to go back to their homes, engage in their professions like agriculture and fishing in their natural habitats. Mr.Tamilselvan continuing further said that denying their right to go back home and the military occupying their homesteads is a denial of Tamil people's basic human rights. If the Tamil people should become part of the peace process, it is necessary that the government demonstrate its sincerity by implementing the various promises agreed upon in the CFA. As a message to the civil society in the south Mr.Tamilselvan said, that the Tamil people are only asking for their just rights and Singhalese people should get over their wrong perception basically created by scheming politicians. Continuing further, Mr.Tamilselvan said that the civil society in the south should bring pressure on their leaders to act with national interest and not petty political gains. Commenting on the Interim Self Governing Authority proposals Mr.Tamilselvan said, that this is intended to effectively carry out immediate humanitarian needs of the people in the areas of resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction and it is very unfortunate that this issue is being utilized by politicians to mislead the people in the south.
06 August 2004
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Europe which has a total population of 800 million is made up of 45 language based nation states. South Asia which has a total population of one billion, (1000 million) is comprised of four states. Who is preventing and therefore benefiting by limiting new nation-states in South Asia?
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