Fernando says Sri Lanka is 'not only for Sinhalas'

Governor of the north-east province Tyronne Fernando said the Tamil Tigers are cooperating with the government in regional level for tsunami reconstruction.

“But the reconstruction will be easier and effective were the LTTE included in a joint-mechanism,” Fernando told BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala).

“The LTTE is not a banned party in Sri Lanka. They are an organisation which is engaged in a peace process with the government.”

JVP militancy

Fernando recalled the JVP also took arms in late 80s but later rejoined the democratic process.

JVP says government can handle tsunami reconstruction without the LTTE

The JVP oppose the proposed joint mechanism (JoMec) between the government and the LTTE for tsunami reconstruction.

They say the government is capable of carrying out tsunami reconstruction in the rebel-held areas with the help of elected MPs of Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

In a public rally held on Tuesday JVP leader Somawansa Amerasinghe said President should not bow down to the requests by foreign powers to implement a 'Tsunami Joint Mechanism' as there is no need for a separate programme for it.

But Fernando said the government should be aware of the ground reality.

'Not only for Sinhalas'

“It will definitely be easy to distribute relief aid together with a group that has power in the area.

The LTTE have said they are ready to work with the government. We should grab that hand.”

'President should not bow down to the requests by foreign powers'

The governor expressed hope that the diferences within the UPFA on the JoMec could be resolved through negotiations.

“The Sinhala majority should change their attitude. Sri Lanka is not only for Sinhalas.

I have to stress again that the JVP also passed through the same process years ago. Then President Premadasa tried to get the JVP into democratic process in the same way as we are now trying with the LTTE.”

Fernando is the chief representative of the president in the province. The governor is in charge of the government administration since the elected Provincial Council was dissolved in June 1990 by the late President R Premadasa.