Infighting will undo the gains of successful elections: Prez
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that infighting between Hindu and Muslim Tamils over the Chief Ministership of the Eastern Provincial Council could deprive the East of its hard earned democracy.
By Agencies |
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that infighting between Hindu and Muslim Tamils over the Chief Ministership of the Eastern Provincial Council could deprive the East of its hard earned democracy.
Sri Lanka belongs to Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese alike, Rajapaksa said after the swearing-in ceremony of the new Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan), of the rebel-LTTE Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) last evening.
"Do not think in terms of a Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim leader, and lead the country to chaos. Let us think as Sri Lankans", Rajapaksa said.
He asked the stakeholders to the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) to refrain from any type of "animosity, jealousy and discord" to prevent the region from returning to the "difficult times" it witnessed before it was fully liberated from the LTTE in July last year.
The swearing in of Pillayan as Chief Minister put to rest the controversy over the contenders to the top post, which erupted after some Muslim leaders pressed for the appointment of dissident Sri Lankan Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Hisbullah.
Both Pillayan and Hisbullah were seen hugging each other, after the decision to appoint Pillayan to the coveted seat was taken.
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However, Hisbullah and two members of the new council announced they would stay as independent members and not be part of the United People's Freedom Alliance coalition (UFPA), which is also the ruling coalition at the Centre. Both Pillayan and Hisbullah had contested elections under the banner of UPFA during the recently held Eastern Provincial Council elections held on May 10.
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