A former MP and member of President Rajapakse’s SLFP has slammed the Tamil newspaper Uthayan’s content, saying it is attempting to sow communal hatred.

The paper had recently carried comments by a catholic priest and a former judge, who had criticised the oppression and militarisation in the Tamil homeland.

The Daily News reported that they said that Tamils remained oppressed by the government and still lived in fear across the island, although the war had ended.

S Kanakaratne, Mullaitivu District member of the SLFP said their views were “biased”.

"They are telling that the government has suppressed the rights and privileges of Tamils. They are saying that the freedom of Tamils have been limited due to presence of the armed forces. But we would like to remind them about the situation that prevailed in these two provinces before May 19, 2009.

“I would like to ask if the Tamils living in the North and East enjoyed freedom before end to terrorism? During that period the LTTE members kidnapped small Tamil children and trained them as child soldiers. They gave T 56 and Cyanide capsules to the children. They took everything earned by the Tamils by force while killing political leaders, clergy and civilians as they wished.

"They should remember that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the leader who restored freedom, peace and harmony in all parts of Sri Lanka and it is this government that granted the voting rights of Tamils in the North and East. In such situation the Udayan has no reason for criticising the government and all these allegations are baseless," the former MP said.