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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

TNA divided over Geneva decision

Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sampanthan’s decision to keep away from Geneva has come under severe criticism from several senior members of the party.  TNA spokesman and the Jaffna District parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran and Parliamentarian P. Ariyanenthiran have opposed Sampanthan’s decision saying it was a unilateral stance and that the party had not been properly consulted over the Geneva issue.

Premachandran, who was away in Chennai when Sampanthan made public the party’s decision regarding attending the UNHRC session in Geneva, said the decision was not unanimous and he was disappointed over Sampanthan’s stance. TNA Parliamentarian P. Ariyanenthiran shared the view expressed by Premachandran.

A majority of the TNA members are of the view that certain members of the party should have gone to Geneva as observers to have a `ring side’ view of the proceedings.

Meanwhile,  parties represented in the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) have appreciated the TNA leader’s decision saying it highlights Sampanthan’s maturity in dealing with critical issues’. (Ceylon Today online)

By Our Political correspondent

CT