LTTE slays another legislator

The 58-year-old MP, representing Trincomalee district, and five of his associates travelling in a `Pajero’ were killed when gunmen allegedly belonging to the LTTE rained bullets on them.

The killing of the MP, coming soon after the assassination of a senior leader of the moderate TULF party, A Thangathuraia, has sent shock waves. The political and and official circles here said it was difficult to speculate reasons for LTTE’s sudden attacks on top politicians of the east.

LTTE has not disowned the killing of Thangathurai and police have arrested six LTTE suspects in connection with the murder.

Initially it was speculated that today’s killing was aimed at preventing the MPs of the north and east from accepting the agreement on setting up an exclusive provincial council for the Muslims in the eastern province. The agreement is being drawn up by the TULF and the Sri Lankan Muslim Congress (SLMC).

The LTTE and several moderate Tamil parties were demanding the merger of Tamil dominated north and eastern provinces, but the Muslims inhabiting parts of eastern province opposed it and wanted an exclusive political and administrative council for themselves.

After prolonged negotiations, both TULF and SLMC have agreed for setting up a South Eastern Council dividing three administrative blocks in eastern Ampara district. But later it was clarified by UNP sources that Maharoof opposed the formation of a Muslim council. UNP totally opposed the merger of the north and eastern provinces though it was agreed upon in the Indo-Sri Lanka accord signed by late Rajiv Gandhi and J R Jayawdardene in 1987.