The Hindu : International : CWC threatens to pull out of Ministry

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 25, 2005

International

International

CWC threatens to pull out of Ministry

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, FEB. 24. The Ceylon Workers' Congress, Sri Lanka's ruling ally, today threatened to resign from the Ministry as it felt it was "unable to deliver the needs of" the island-nation's upcountry Tamils, who are of Indian origin. The party, however, kept open the possibility of a patch-up and remained non-committal on its future course.

The two CWC Ministers — Muthu R. Sivalingam and Muthu S. Sellasamy — sent their resignations to the Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, to be forwarded to the President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, who is the head of the Cabinet.

The CWC's eight MPs are a small, but significant grouping in the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance Government, which now has the backing of 119 MPs in the 225-member Parliament. Mr. Sivalingam is the Minister for Estate Housing, Infrastructure and Community Development and Mr. Sellasamy is his Deputy Minister. Though the immediate reason for the resignation threat is a controversy over the naming of a playground after the late CWC leader, S. Thondaman, several other political and economic issues, including the controversy over a hydro-electric project in the hill districts, are involved.

"We feel we are unable to deliver the needs of our people," R. Yogarajan, senior CWC member, told The Hindu this evening. In an indication that the party was keeping its options open, Mr. Yogarajan said the President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, was "always endeavouring to help our people." He also said the party was "undecided" on whether it would withdraw support to the government.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International