It was news that a certain Member of Parliament had raised his voice against Sinhalese being sent to Batticaloa.

Prabakaran sent the Sinhalese out of Jaffna and to some extent from Batticaloa. The MP’s statement is racist and is supportive of Prabakaran’s attempt to divide the country on ethnic basis.

There are Tamils living in the South in peace and harmony with the Sinhalese and could buy property in the south whilst the Sinhalese cannot do so in the north. That is discrimination against the Sinhalese and as such laws should be enacted to enable any citizen to buy property and live in any part of the island without hindrance.

On the other hand, there is a trend towards polarisation on racial lines. Certain minority community political parties thriving on the racial ticket, taking advantage of a few seats in Parliament, negotiate ministerial posts, National List seats, diplomatic and corporation appointments on a racial basis. That amounts to using the minority communities as pawns in the dangerous political game, keeping alive racial divisions by scheming politicians.

I am of the view, that political parties operated on racial basis such as the Tamil National Alliance, Muslim Congress, Jathika Hela Urumaya and other such political parties should not be recognised and only national parties such as the SLFP, UNP, JVP, CP, LSSP etc. should be registered as political parties by changing the Election Law, whatever the racists may say. A message should be put out to say that the country will not be divided on the basis of the administrative boundaries introduced by the British.

It should also be the policy not to make appointments to Parliament, Cabinet of Ministers, Public Service, Diplomatic Corps etc., on the basis of race, religion or caste but strictly on merit.

Precedence should be given to unite the country sans racial, religious or caste considerations. The President should give the leadership towards that end.