Facebook icon
Twitter icon
e-mail icon

Wigneswaran urges Tamils to vote for 'justice, homeland and self-determination’

The Chief Minister of the Northern Province called on Tamil voters across the North-East to vote for the party that assures "individuality" and "self-determination" without hesitating in "seeking justice for the genocide perpetrated against the Tamil people"  in next week’s general election.

This week C V Wigneswaran released a statement in Tamil urging voters to back the party that is committed to the principles of a traditional Tamil homeland, Tamil individuality and the right to self-determination.

"It should be a party that will not hesitate to seek justice for the genocide perpetrated against the Tamil people and.. be firm in the manner of an independent international investigation," he added.

His statement did not name any political parties, however criticised politicians of making election promises and then muting demands when dealing with southern politicians.

Accusing Tamil politicians of acting “selfishly” and contradicting their elected manifestos when dealing with politicians in the south of the island, the Chief Minister said,

“Importantly they think that there is no redemption if they do not move amicably with Southern politicians, forgetting all their emotive talks on the election platforms among the Tamil people. They attempt to act in a way that will not vex the minds of the Southern politicians."

The Chief Minister continued to say that several parties contesting in the elections have released manifestos that do not respect those principles.

 “I shouldn't have to tell you that our people live in the North-East cannot benefit by them,” he added, labelling such parties “opportunists”.

Furthermore, Mr Wigneswaran called for a strengthening of the  "relationship with international countries willing to work” with Tamils. “We can pave a way for a permanent political solution by doing this,” he said.

The Chief Minister concluded his statement by calling on Tamils across the North-East to cast their votes next week.
He ended,

“If you fail to do your duty, it will be detrimental not only to you but also to the whole Tamil Nation.”

Mr Wigneswaran's latest comments come as the election campaigning between the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) intensified, with only a few days left till the Tamil people go to the polls. He had earlier said he would "remain mute" until the election.

Related article:

'I will remain mute until the election' says Wigneswaran (11 Aug 2015) 

Wigneswaran says he will remain neutral and non-partisan at Sri Lanka election (30 Jul 2015)

We cannot henceforth be a nation that is deceived - CV Wigneswaran  (21 Jul 2015)

We need your support

Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.

Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view

We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.

For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.