REPLY TO MR. KUSAL PERERA OF THE DAILY MIRROR
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CONTRADICTION IN MY STAND IN THE TAMIL STRUGGLE – THE CONTRADICTIONS ARE MUCH IN THE AUTHOR’S ESSAY
Thank you for the respect, you say that you have for me as a democrat who stands for a politically negotiated settlement of the North – East war – permit me to correct you Mr. Kusal, for the settlement of the ethnic problems. Unfortunately all that you had written in that Essay or Open letter as you say or by what ever name you call it, are utterly irrelevant and not related to the main issue you have raised. It doest not give me the impression that you recognise me as a democrat. Everyone in this country has a right to form his or her opinion on any matter or of any person. I do not dispute your right too. But you have no right to thrust your misconceptions and wrong conclusions down the throat of everybody by using or rather by misusing a National Independent Paper with a reputation.
I had been always welcoming constructive criticism made in good faith. I do not see an atom of good faith in your so called essay that should have found prominence in a paper run by the LTTE. You have knowingly or unknowingly wounded a person who loves this country and its people very much without expecting any benefit in return. I am on a mission and I have made several sacrifices and at grave risk to my own life. My sole intention is to bringing back peace to the people of this country whether they are Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or of any other ethnic group, within a United Sri Lanka. It was the TULF that moved a resolution for a Separate State 32 years back. Do you know that soon after passing the resolution the Tamil Leadership offered to drop that demand if a viable alternative is offered. They were even prepared to take it to the people if they were satisfied with the alternative solution offered.
I am in Politics for more than fifty years. I need not be told what I should do or what I should not do. I also know what to tell, to whom to tell and when to tell. I have no arrogance in me. I listen to good advice but please don’t try to show your cleverness by ridiculing me. Yes; I am having state security for nearly ten years. I never asked for it. The successive Governments without showing any distinction had provided me with state security. The LTTE cadre also was given security by the Government. Even you are entitled to it if you ask for it as a Journalist. In your so called essay you had said. “Of course you are now compelled to live with state security I presume, but I would not hold that against you as long as that armed security remains personal and not part of your politics”. What do you mean by this mischievous statement? Can you please elaborate this? Be assured that the security is not used to abduct people or extort money. You are at liberty to use your influence and have it withdrawn if you so desire.
Subject to good advice given, I think on my own and act on my own. I had never been a stooge of any body. Neither will I be that of anybody in the future too. If you have anything against the President be honest and deal with him direct without dragging me in to the scene. If and when I meet the President I do not fail to give my opinion in many matters. But I can’t force anything down his throat although I am one who know him for over 38 years.
I could see your vicious intention of setting me against the TMVP leaders some of whom are known to me. I have very clearly stated as to why the STF should be retained atleast till the Provincial Council Elections are over, mainly due to the presence of the LTTE although the East had been liberated. I have referred to all armed groups in general and not specifically one. You give your own interpretation and blame me as singling out the TMVP. I know what motive you have in saying so. Can’t you really understand what I mean by groups? This applies to every one other than the forces. Please don’t attribute to me all what appears in your imaginations. How do you say, that too fairly and squarely, that I was too much with the Government prior to and during the Batticaloa Local Government Elections, silently watching the Government tie up with the TMVP, as if you are my private secretary. You go further and irresponsibly say that my argument though valid, most unfortunately my voice would not be seriously heard. It is a pity that you do not know about our alliance contesting the Local Government Elections in Batticaloa. I do not think, with so much of bias you can sit in judgment over my actions. You look very much influenced by certain forces. Please you do not come out with reasons for my doings.
I hardly differ with you in all what is said in your second and third paragraph. It is a pity that you give your own interpretations and thereby trying to discredit me and a national paper of repute.
I do not accept your claim that the PLOTE and the EPRLF (Pathmanabha) Group are Para-military groups. Under the CFA they have surrendered all their arms and the LTTE made use of this opportunity and had finished very many of their cadre. Strangely enough next to the LTTE you the only person who has described these parties as Para-militaries.
All other matters referred to in your so called essay are irrelevant and unrelated to the main issue raised by you. As for me, although I am not obliged to answer your queries I very clearly state for every one to know my views that is not the time to hold the Provincial Council Elections and also that the Local Elections held was not at all free and fair but hundred times free and fairer than the General Elections held in April, 2004 in which LTTE by fraudulent means got 22 Members Elected to serve as their proxies not only in Parliament but also outside. They do not represent the people. I do not won’t a similar situation to arise both in the East and also in the North in the future. Extract of a statement issued by me in January, 2007 which appeared under the head ANANDASANGAREE SAYS PREPARED TO PAY ANY PRICE TO ACHIEVE HIS MISSION which will also help you to know me better.
“TULF leader V. Anandasangaree says that he has to suffer unending humiliations and embarrassment by the Tamil media both print and electronic within Sri Lanka and outside in his mission to muster support for a solution to the fifty years old ethnic problem within the framework of a united or undivided Sri Lanka. “My advocating a Federal Solution and suggesting the Indian Model as an alternative to satisfy those who are opposed to the terms “Federal” and “Unitary” on which the Indian Constitutions is silent had not appeased them”, he said in a statement yesterday. “I am branded as a traitor to the Tamil cause apart from facing constant threats to my life”, he noted. Such humiliations, embarrassment and threats will not deter mo from going forward on my mission to assist in the formation of an ‘ideal’ society where all Sri Lankans whether Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays, Burghers or anyone belonging to any other group could live in harmony enjoying equal rights and privileges in a United Sri Lanka. Anandasangaree emphasised. “I am prepared to pay any price to achieve this as I love my country and its people very dearly”. Referring to certain articles in English media the TULF leader said that if the authors had read some of the letters he had written to LTTE leader Prabaharan and political wing leader S. P. Thamilchelvan, Heads of States, Diplomatic Missions and to others including the President and former President of Sri Lanka such merciless and unreasonable attacks on him could have been avoided.”
In fairness to me and in consideration of the damage caused to me I hope that Daily Mirror will published the annexed copy of the letter I sent to the President on the subject “Elections to the Eastern Provincial Council dated 22-03-2008”.
V. Anandasangaree,
President – TULF.
