Machado is interfering in internal problems – NFF

by Don Asoka Wijewardena
The European Union (EU) Head of Delegation to Sri Lanka Joao Aqular Machado, instead of negotiating the GSP-Plus issue has deliberately intervened in Sri Lanka’s internal problems, National Freedom Front MP Piyasiri Wijenayaka told a media conference at the Mahaweli Kendriya yesterday.

He said that the National Freedom Front, the breakaway group of the JVP, would not trust the EU delegate because he had spoken in favour of the UNP and disarming of the TMVP in the liberated Eastern province. His utterances had created a commotion among progressive political parties as he had interfered with Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Wijenayaka said that the European Union was considered as pro-LTTE and pro-UNP because its statements and activities were a clear reflection of these two organizations. The EU had come to Sri Lanka not to solve the GSP –Plus issue but to enrich terrorism.

Referring to the teachers’ salary anomalies that led to the closure of schools, Wijenayaka said that the Education Minister and the government were entirely responsible for students’ education. Instead of resolving the issue the Education Ministry had closed schools.

The teachers and principals expected the government to resolve their salary anomaly before December 31, 2007.

The Education Ministry had told the teachers unions that the government had put forward the case before the Salaries and Cadres Commission. Although six months had passed no tangible action to solve the problem had been taken by the Commission. Students sitting next month’s A/L/examination would be greatly affected by the school closures.

Regarding the Opposition leader’s statements on his recent visit to India where he had criticized the Sri Lankan security forces, Wijenayaka said he had told Indian authorities that the Sri Lankan forces were doing nothing. "His principal objective was to give oxygen to the moribund LTTE and become the leader of the country. It would be betrayal. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statements were unpatriotic and an insult to the sovereignty of the country. The UFF would not tolerate such statements made by any person."

The government had decided to hold provincial council elections in the Sabaragamuwa and North Central provinces ahead of schedule. It would be a violation of election law and the democratic process, he said.