Sri Lanka, an appeal from the north: Save the Tamils from the army (and drugs)
Colombo (AsiaNews) – Favoring drug trafficking - particularly heroin - to sabotage the development and progress of the people of northern Sri Lanka, especially the young. This is the damning accusation launched by C.V. Vigneswaran, chief minister of the northern province, during a debate held at the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (Ndcb) in Colombo on June 8th.
According to the Tamil leader, the massive army presence is complicit in this situation and therefore he has officially requested an impartial investigation to clarify the role of the armed forces in the area.
Vigneswaran pointed out: "Until 2009, when the thirty-year civil war ended and the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE] were defeated, we had no problem with heorin abuse. It only started after". "Before the war - Ndcb chairman Dr. Nilanga Samarasinghe confirmed - the province was not affected by drugs, because the rebels did not allow drug traffickers to enter. "
"The local population - said the chief minister – suspects that drug dealers have spread drugs to prevent young people from the north from furthering their education, to reduce their sense of freedom and hamper their progress. We still have many problems due to the continuing presence of the armed forces: our land, our crops, our fish stocks and our business have been taken from us. Our women are not safe. In the northern province there are at least 100 thousand soldiers, or one soldier for every four civilians. We would be extremely happy if the army withdrew".
Samarasinghe said that a special anti-narcotics team - headed by Vigneswaran - will soon be sent to the area, and a direct telephone line will be available to residents to contact the police. "If the LTTE did not allow drug traffickers enter - said the chief minister - how is it that the drug has taken root precisely since the armed forces were in charge? That is why we want the army out of the north. "
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12/02/2016 15:14
24/01/2007
