By Priyath Liyanage Head, BBC Sinhala Service

	TULF leader says LTTE closed A9 road much earlier than the Govt.

V Anandasangari was commenting on his visit to meet British parliamentarians who recently expressed concern on Sri Lanka's situation in a British parliamentary debate.

“I came to London to brief the MPs about the truth on what is happening in Vanni. After reading the contents of the debate, I felt that they only knew one side of the story,” the veteran politician told BBC Sandeshaya.

British parliamentary debate

The debate on an adjournment motion in British parliament was sponsored by the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party, Simon Hughes MP.

Speaking with BBC Sinhala Service, Mr. Hughes said the Britain as well as other international players has a 'right to interfere' in Sri Lankan affairs.

The Tamil Tigers had killed far more Tamils than the Sri Lankan government security forces TULF leader, V Anandasangaree

The current situation in Sri Lanka, Mr. Huges said, is of great importance to 'nearly quarter of a million' Sri Lankan in UK, both Sinhala and Tamil.

But the TULF leader says many British MPs are misinformed.

"For instance, LTTE sympathisers had told the British MPs that the A9 was closed by the government causing hardship for Tamil people in Jaffna," he said.

'More Tamils killed by LTTE'

"But these LTTE lobby had not told them that the A9 was closed by the Tamil Tigers for many years. Once the road was opened during the ceasefire, the Tigers started taxing everyone for everything that went through to the North or came down to the South. British MPs did not know about what the LTTE did.”

	Mr. Hughes says Britian has a right to interfere in Sri Lankan affairs

“The Tamil Tigers had killed far more Tamils than the Sri Lankan government security forces," senior politician Mr. Anandasangari added.

When questioned about the feasibility of holding free and fair elections in the Eastern province, he accepted that it is an issue if there are armed cadres of certain groups going around killing or threatening the candidates.

'80% democracy'

“There are no paramilitary groups in the east," the TULF leader said.

“If there are people carrying guns, only one way to stop them. I ask the people to not to vote for anyone who is carrying a gun!”

There are no paramilitary groups in the east TULF leader, V Anandasangaree

He admitted that it may be impossible to have proper democracy established in the East under prevailing conditions.

“Even if we can’t have one hundred percent democracy, maybe we can have eighty percent. We have to start somewhere. Even if you look at today’s parliament, there are many who were not elected fairly”.

A selection of your views:

I am a Sinhalees but I think we sinhala and tamil must work together for buildup our country.So what Mr Sangari is doing right.He is thinking only the country.We allof must accept.
Sudantha Kodikarage, Stockholm, Sweden

He was the MP for Kilinochi Where I was a teacher in 70's .What he told ,Tamil eelam or death. We have to sacrify ourself for to get our country back from Sinhala govt. His people hit & remove his dresses of my principal for supporting SLFP. TULF is the one convert the youngers to take the arms. Now he want another job.
Navam, London, UK

Well done Sir on be half of our mother land Sri Lanka. You are a real Sri Lankan hero in our times.
Nalin Herath, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Most people assume that Mr AnandaSangaree as a supporter of MR regime. That is not true. Last 10 to 15 years mr Sangaree continualy opposed to LTTE's brutal war and saw how LTTE broke the CFA and how Norway and other western NGO's saving LTTE's face. Mahinda and his Regim taking refuge in Anandasangaree because Sangaree never changed his policy. Welldone Mr Sangaree doing what you are doing despite the death hanging over you.
Ajith, Enfield, UK

BBC have taken a long time to publicise the views of a non LTTE tamil politician.
Sena Attygalle, London, UK

If, as Mr. Simon Huges says the UK has a "right" to meddle in Sri Lanka's affairs, the opposite must also be true. I would like to know Mr. Hughes' reaction if there ever was a suggestion by Sri Lanka that it has a right to interfere in UK's affairs and conduct an investigation in to the alleged diversion of public funds by MPs.
Yasiru Samarakoon, London, UK

Sadly Sangaree has lost his credibility being an apologist for the govt.
Sarath Dheerasekara, Sri Lanka