Speaking to the Indian foreign secretary, Ranjan Mathai, during his 3 day visit of Sri Lanka and the North-East, Anandasangaree of the TULF, Sitharthan of the PLOTE and Sritharan of the EPRLF, condemned the Sri Lankan government's attempt to "change the demographic pattern of the North-East".
They added that Tamils were 'highly perturbed' by the ever increasing militarisation of the North-East.
"The government has no plans for demilitarization, contrary to which the forces are involving more and more in civil administration.
"The people cannot (hold) any function without the participation of some army personnel. The people are terrified over the presence of army personnel in every nook and corner of the north."
Highlighting the Sri Lankan government's pledge to re-register all lands, the trio described the move as "unjustfiable".
They added,
"Why should the government do it in areas where people have not yet properly settled, some have not yet identified their lands, and some had gone aboard?"
"Above all, a lot of people died during the war. What and what property and where these lands are, is still not known. The government must abandon the move."
"All this mess is created due to the government's failure to find an early solution to the ethnic problem. A solution acceptable to the minorities should be found."
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