28 March, 2024

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Friday Forum Did Not Make Any Attempt To Seek My Opinion – NPC Opposition Leader

Responding to the recent statement issued by the Friday Forum titled “Post-war realities in the Northern Province”, the opposition leader of the Northern Provincial Council last night said although the Friday Forum has met cross section of the society in Jaffna & Kilinochchi, its representatives have not made any attempt to seek the opinion of the Leader of Opposition of the Northern Provincial Council.

S. Thavarajah

S. Thavarajah

Sending a letter to the Friday Forum,  S. Thavarajah, the opposition leader of the Northern Provincial Council said; “It is evident from the Chief Minister’s Speech that neither the President nor the government is causing any hindrance to invite funds from the Tamil Diaspora and to start investment as stated in the Election Manifesto. However, up to now not a single investment has come into the Northern Province. Who is responsible for this? Whether it is the inability of the elected body or the impediment caused by the Government?”

We publish below the letter in full;

The Friday Forum                                                                 

No.2, Greenlands Avenue,

Colombo 5,

Sri Lanka.

Dear Sirs,

Post-war realities in the Northern Province

This is in response to a statement released by Friday Forum on 01st of June 2014 titled ‘’Post-war realities in the Northern Province’’ signed by Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Prof. Savitri Goonesekerere & Mr. Tissa Jayatilaka on behalf of the forum.

Although your representatives, according to your statement, have met cross section of the society in Jaffna & Kilinochchi, they have not made any attempt to seek the opinion of the Leader of Opposition of the Northern Provincial Council in this respect before releasing the statement.

Nevertheless, I wish to place before you my views and concerns with regard to the statement.

The statement inter-alia states that ‘’ Forum is, however, perturbed by the hindrances that impede the proper functioning of the NPC’’. Further it is stated ‘’ It  is the sincere hope of Friday Forum that the Governor and the President will extend their vital  support and cooperation to the Chief Minister and the duly elected NPC by the provision of the requisite financial and administrative resources to enable the NPC to discharge its duties and responsibilities to the citizenry’’. 

Before I place my views and concerns,   I wish to bring the following facts for your information.

1.       Allocation of funds to the NPC by the Government

1.1  Recurrent Expenditure:

According to the National Budget estimates the recurrent expenditure allocation for the NPC for the year 2014 is Rs.11,622/- million. In terms of per-capita expenditure, this amounts to Rs.16,369/-. The per-capita recurrent expenditure allocation to other eight provinces are less than Rs.10,000/-.

1.2  Capital Expenditure:

According to the National Budget estimates for the year 2014, the NPC has got the largest amount of capital expenditure allocation of Rs.5,831/- million as compared to other eight provinces. The allocation to other provinces are as follows:

NPC

Further, the allocation of Rs.5,831/- million for the year is part of Rs.21,967/- million ear-marked for spending through the NPC for the following programmes during the period 2013-2016.

2.  Special Project – Jaffna & Kilinochchi Water Supply & Sanitation Project.

The Government has secured a loan of USD 138.00 million for the above project. The scope of the project is (a) Iranamadu Tank Rehabilitation (b) Water Supply Pipe Lines & 19 Towers (c) Sewerage system for Jaffna MC. This Project was initiated in 2002 and the project feasibility was carried out by SMEC at the request of ADB. The total cost of the project is about Rs.23,000/- million including GOSL contribution. The Government has signed an agreement with the ADB in February 2011 and still continues to pay commitment fees to the ADB for the said commitment.

NPC 2Since this subject matter is coming under the purview of the Provincial Council, they are the implementing agency. As such, their consent is needed to go ahead with the project. The Provincial Council from the time they were elected to power in September 2013 has been dilly-dallying on giving their consent & because of this delay now the AFD, one of the funder, has indicated their decision to cancel the funding of USD 48.00 million towards this Project. I understand that the ADB may also decide to cancel the loan if the decision is prolonged.

From the above, you would understand whether the Government is extending its support and cooperation to the NPC or not. There is no hindrance or impediment for the NPC to carry out the above Projects and Programmes of works. The only impediment is the inability and inefficiency of the governing body of the NPC for the last 08 Months.

Since the elected body took in charge in September 2013, the Provincial Council has not passed a single statute, except the appropriation Bill. Without passing a statute how can a provincial Council collect its own revenue (In addition to the allocation by the government). Even to administer the subjects in the Provincial Council List statutes need to be passed.

Further, in the election manifesto of the TNA for the Provincial Council Election under the sub heading ‘’Development with National and International Assistance’’, it is stated as follows:

‘’TNA would engage with the Sri Lankan State, the International Community and the Tamil Diaspora to address the issue of long-term investment and aid in the province. The Tamil Diaspora is an important segment in the securing of regeneration and well being for the affected people and we would obtain their invaluable aid and expertise.’’

In a speech delivered by the Chief Minister Justice C V Wigneswaran at the Taj Samudra Hotel on 13th February 2014 at The National Conference on the theme ‘’Postwar Socio Economic Development’’ , he has inter-alia stated as follows:

‘’On a positive note, during my recent discussions with the President, in the presence of his Secretary, the Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretary to the Cabinet, we discussed the

 mutual benefits that could be reaped by the Central Government and the Northern Provincial Council by allowing a smooth flow of funds from our brethren abroad, through State organs. One of the difficulties faced by us was the delay in donor monies reaching us. Since valuable Foreign Currencies could flow into the coffers of the State I said they must ensure the speedy delivery of equivalent local currency to the periphery. The President and his advisors were seemingly very accommodative saying so long as the donations are approved in advance by the State the passage of the finances to their ultimate destination would be unhindered’’.

It is evident from the Chief Minister’s Speech that neither the President nor the government is causing any hindrance to invite funds from the Tamil Diaspora and to start investment as stated in the Election Manifesto. However, up to now not a single investment has come into the Northern Province. Who is responsible for this? Whether it is the inability of the elected body or the impediment caused by the Government?

I trust the above facts would enlighten you on the post-war realities in the Northern Province.

Since your statement was given wider publicity in the media, I am compelled to release this letter to the media in order to enlighten the public on the correctness of your statement.

Yours sincerely,

Sgd.

S.Thavarajah,

Leader of Opposition,

Northern Provincial Council.

Telephone No: 0212057083

Mobile No: 0774863893

 

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Latest comments

  • 3
    0

    S.Thavarajah,

    RE: Friday Forum Did Not Make Any Attempt To Seek My Opinion – NPC Opposition Leader

    So, who are these guys at Friday Forum/ Are they a bunch of guys and girls who wants to eat fish on Fridays?

    This is what you do?

    1. Send them Fish and dry fish, delivered on friday.

    Kumbalawo, Kumbalawo dry Fish and Boombili Dry Fish will get their attention.

    Then they will ask for your opinion.

    Tell them, your opinion is in the fish you sent them, You can tell them, you have the same opinion of the regime.

    Would this suggestion solve your Problem with the Friday Forum,

    Ask the Pope. His Holiness, who is supposed to be representative of Christ on Earth (Goes around the Sun) is supposed to come next year 2015 to bless MaRa and His Family. Don’t send the Pope the Fish.

    • 4
      0

      Friday Forum? If you didn’t know, it is a group of teenage girls who couldn’t sing (for supper or even for breakfast) so rejected from the reality show after the auditions or the second round. They are looking for a living. Savithri was the VC after Shirani B but the former wasn’t lucky enough to be appointed a supreme court judge. How could you blame her for crying!! Dhanapala was not supported for the UNSG post when he believed he could have won..ha ha. They all have chips on their shoulders or brains or whatever.
      At this very time, the group is trying to fish in troubled waters, hence they want to eat Fish on Fridays perhaps!!I have no idea who Thavarajah is if you wondered.

      • 0
        0

        Oh no! the Friday Dodos are back with their platitudes!

        Just ignore them, as they are desperate for attention…

    • 2
      0

      May I suggest to Thavarajah.

      He should present his letter to BBS, Mervin Siva, JHU, JVP and the NFF. Why not even the Malwatte and the Asgiriya.

      Thavarajah why don’t you join the mainstream politics of the Tamils without selling your soul for peanuts with the paramilitary group.

      You should not have any worries. LTTE is no more there.

      Let the Tamil people remember you as a man of courage to stand up on issues.

      I know you must be still feeling the damn hurt of the torture following your captivity after your Puloly Peoples Bank robbery.

      We all have life spans and have to die one day. How and when is God’s will. Before death stand for justice and honesty.

  • 9
    3

    Thavarajah, widely identified as a Douglas Devananda clone, seems to be more worried about the reasons why diaspora funds do not reach the NPC. The reason is simple. The diaspora still suspects the well known thieves at the top on the Govt side will swallow the funds like they did millions of dollars that flowed into the Tsunami, Build Hambantota Fund etc.

    If Thavarajah has Tamil interests in mind he should be asking why the Rajapakse Govt dries up the NPC from last September forcing the
    CM/NPC to plead with the Indian Govt and the world to ask Rajapakse GoSL for funds to run his Council – even barely.

    R. Varathan

    • 3
      4

      Go over and give the funds to the people. Don’t make Thavarajah and Devanandan an excuse for not wanting the North and East to progress further. Or keep the money and buy more arms sell more young Tamil people as cannon fodder.

      • 3
        0

        In the discussion the CM of NPC had with the president the former was told that any loan or financial aid to the NPC (or any PC) must go through NPC. No member of the diaspora is prepared to take that risk.

        Further there is NO civilian administration in the north or east. The army make rules and control everything. Recently the army ordered the Jaffna University be closed for a week to prevent the students remembering the deaths of hundreds of thousands on the 18th of May 2009.

      • 2
        2

        Peter Casie Chetty

        “Or keep the money and buy more arms sell more young Tamil people as cannon fodder.”

        Crocodiles Really Shed Tears While Eating, Study Says
        Brian Handwerk

        for National Geographic News
        October 10, 2007

        For centuries insincere humans have been said to cry crocodile tears—a nod to the famous tale that crocs weep with false remorse while devouring their prey.

        Now research has shown that some reptiles really do shed tears during a meal, but most likely for biological rather than emotional reasons.

        …….
        ……
        http://news.nationalgeographic.com/

  • 4
    4

    Hold on – wasn’t this the guy who didn’t get enough votes to get elected to the NPC? He got in later because one of the opposition members was dismissed, right? How did he become the opposition leader?!!!

    • 1
      1

      Thavarajah got in because the other guy who got the votes is implicated in a murder case and is remanded in custody by the court,he is not dismissed.

  • 1
    0

    S.Thavarajah,

    RE: Friday Forum Did Not Make Any Attempt To Seek My Opinion – NPC Opposition Leader

    So, who are these guys at Friday Forum?Are they a bunch of guys and girls who wants to eat fish on Fridays?

    TGIF, Thank God It is Friday!

    This is what you do?

    1. Send them Fish and dry fish, delivered on Friday.

    Kumbalawo, Kumbalawo dry Fish and Boombili Dry Fish will get their attention.

    Then they will ask for your opinion.

    Tell them, your opinion is in the fish you sent them, You can tell them, you have the same opinion of the regime.

    Would this suggestion solve your Problem with the Friday Forum,

    Ask the Pope. His Holiness, who is supposed to be representative of Christ on Earth (Goes around the Sun) is supposed to come next year 2015 to bless MaRa and His Family. Don’t send the Pope the Fish. He has plenty of fish.

  • 7
    4

    I am glad Friday Forum did not meet this guy. Good riddance of bad rubbish.

    This chap who advocated strengthening of the 13 amendment is now playing balls to mess up the said amendment buttress the government.

    I wonder why Mahinda did not take him to Delhi when Viggi refused his invitation. His mentor Douglas is a wanted man in India. He is involved in lots of controversies and pathetic Mrs Parkunarajah was sent to do Patha Pooja for Mahinda. EPDP is a bunch of parasites serving on rots provided by the state to undermine the mainstream politics of the Tamils.

  • 5
    0

    Clever man Thavarajah

    “The only impediment is the inability and inefficiency of the governing body of the NPC for the last 08 Months.”

    Have you given any advice to NPC?

    “However, up to now not a single investment has come into the Northern Province. Who is responsible for this? Whether it is the inability of the elected body or the impediment caused by the Government?”

    Clever man Thavarajah Could you please give a detail reply to your questions?

  • 5
    0

    “….that neither the President nor the government is causing any hindrance to invite funds from the Tamil Diaspora and to start investment….. Who is responsible for this?…”

    Mr. Thavarajah – Do you know that not a single Tamil from the West will
    Invest in NP or EP unless he/she can be assured of a Dual-citizenship,
    which is now under the firm control of Gota! MR made an ad-hoc ruling
    after the Oxford debacle in Jany. 2011 and not a local Tamil MP dare
    take this issue up fearing any suspicious links with the diaspora.
    MR is rocking the cradle while pinching the child! The action of MR is
    structured genocide and thereby erode the economics of the Tamils??

    • 2
      4

      Blah blah blha….econoics what economics boss? Diaspora groups are not interested in investing in their own people and the dual citizenship is your reason for that? What the heck is that? Don’t you know that 2/3 of this diaspora groups do have dual citizenship? What bollocks! Anyway, it is true ..truth hurts.

      • 3
        0

        Rubert Vanderkoon

        “Blah blah blha”

        Here is the correct lyrics for the nursery rhyme:

        Baa, baa, black sheep,
        Have you any wool?
        Yes sir, yes sir,
        Three bags full.

        One for the master,
        One for the dame,
        And one for the little boy
        Who lives down the lane

        Baa, baa, black sheep,
        Have you any wool?
        Yes sir, yes sir,
        Three bags full..

    • 5
      0

      punchinilame

      “Do you know that not a single Tamil from the West will Invest in NP or EP unless he/she can be assured of a Dual-citizenship,”

      Its more than that.

      When Tamils in the North/East invest in capital intensive projects, the military intelligence want see the source of finance and take the investors for questioning.

      Even charities which involved in rehabilitating schools and providing new amenities are questioned and military intelligence demand details of every transactions and source of funding.

      Thorough out the country you need to bribe the ministers and their contacts in order to obtain clearance.

      Once the project is up and running the ministers and politicians demand a share in the project, eventually 100% control.

      There are other difficulties as to why Diaspora is reluctant to invest in the North East.

      S.Thavarajah, Leader of Opposition, is in a difficult position to justify government’s action or inaction.

    • 1
      5

      This is about trust. Every-time the diaspora holiday makers come they started making up stories and try to hang on to their social benefits in the West.I have been and seen the people are happy up there in the North so letting their Freedom go for Eelaamists is not “envisagable”. They have given up the bottle lamps for electricity, the have buses and trains and life is moving along fine. If those expat Tamils don’t want to invest fine! Then don’t start complaining that the Sinhalese are moving into the vacant spaces. The Expats prefer to invest in Colombo but at the next sign of trouble there will be many more refugees than there were in 1983.

  • 8
    2

    Thavarajah, who are you? You are the leader of the opposition in NPC, how many votes did you get, how did you become the leader? You became the leader only by default not that people selected you as the leader of the opposition and God only knows how many votes you got by either blocking voters or collecting illegal votes. You do not have to be so important, we all know that you are no one. You are the clone of Douglas Devananda who is a wanted man in India and who is a plant of the Rajapakse regime. Who cares what you have to say. If you were quite you would have kept your respect, now that you have opened your mouth your true self is being published. Shame on you. Who are you? Who is your leader a FUGITIVE!

  • 4
    2

    SINNATHURAI THAVARAJH IS FROM TEMPLE ROAD KOKUVIL EAST NOT EVEN G.C.E O/L QUALIFIED BUT WAS INVOLVED IN EPDP NEFERIOUS ACTIVITIES.IN LATER PART OF 1980 HE HAS BEEN SELLING USED TRACTORS AND IMPLEMENTS FROM A YARD IN A LANE IN DEHEWELA.I WONDER HOW HE BECAME TO ANSWER ON BEHALF BETTEE EDUCATED TAMILS THAN HIM.NANTHAVIL AMMAN ONLY KNOWS THE ANSWER.

  • 4
    2

    Thavarajah is an unelected thug associate of Doglass Devanada.How many people is he leading in the opposition for any one to give him any degree of importance. This man, like his leader Doglass, is an agent provocateur of Rajapaksa. The CT should not have given this non-entity any publicity.

  • 2
    4

    Thavaraja has raised a very valued point that FF did not bother to meet the opposition leader of the NPC.We cannot expect anything from them.These so called civil society people make it a point to meet who they want to hear from.By the way, who do FF represent?Who elected them?What they have in common is foreign education,fluent English ,visiting western embassy parties etc.etc.Can anyone of them sit cross-legged on a mat with ordinary Srilankan?.Even the western diplomats and other officials visit only Christian leaders.They never visit Hindu,Budhist and Islamic leaders.Visiting only Christian leaders is the continuation of the colonial past. These are the people who lecture to us on equal rights,fair play,religious freedom etc.,etc.This shows where FF’s opinion come from.

  • 0
    2

    How can they get your opinion Mr.Thavarajah,when you seem to be asleep on your feet.Did you check for sleep apnea,blood pressure,cholesterol,mental illness due to jaffna same village marriages,bala’s neuron disease,diabetics,cancer etc etc.

  • 2
    2

    Thavarajah
    When did you learn to write in English?. I am surprised you are making full grammatical sentences. Which of the government leaders prepared this letter for you?.As long as humanity exists there will be sycophants like you. You are the kind of people [Edited out].

  • 0
    2

    Thavaraja or no Thava the friday Forum has shot themselves in the foot.
    Showed they are biased and influenced…….

    This is a bunch who had elected themselves to promote a hidden agenda floating in from the outside.

  • 2
    0

    No one consults Leader of the Govt. Opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe either on any important matter. Does he create a big fuss and raise a hue and cry over it?

    All I can say is, this chap Thavarajah is just a nobody who is acting as a mouthpiece for someone else, using his position as NPC opposition leader which he obtained through some fluke.

    • 0
      2

      I am no fan of this Thavaraja, some of whose activities during the APRC was in the public domain. He worked with Prof. Marasinghe in coming out with some proposals. Some readers comment here the man is short of learning. I have reason to believe he is quite learned, articulate and has substance. I believe he was a nominated MP put forward by Douglas D, until he Thavarajah relocated to the UK.

      Backlash

      • 1
        0

        We must understand why the people rejected him and Ananthasangary in the election. He is a member of a group/party that shot anyone they did not like and robbed people with the help of the police and army. He might not have been directly involved in criminal activities but he supports a regime alleged to have committed genocide by starving innocent people including babies and interned husbands and wives in different camps enclosed with barbed wires to prevent natural growth of Tamils.

  • 2
    0

    Will S Thavarajah say what happens to the money the EPDP makes by selling the sand? When asked in the NPC meeting he bluffed saying they are legal. The sand belongs to the people and not to the thugs or murderers of any group or party.

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