TNA to boycott military parade

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will boycott the military parade set to be held on May 19 in Matara to mark six years since the end of the war, The English newspaper reported.

TNA MP Suresh Premachandran said that the TNA has taken a clear position not to take part in the event which has been held every year since the war ended in May 2009. However, he said that he would not be able to comment on behalf of TNA leader R.Sampanthan and TNA MP M.A Sumanthiran. The two MPs had attended the independence day celebrations this year despite the TNA boycotting the event over the past several years. “The other members of the TNA have taken a clear position since the beginning not to take part in the victory day celebrations. It is not a day for the Tamils to celebrate. Many Tamil nationals died at the last phase of the war. It may be a day for the Sri Lankan Army to celebrate but it is not a day that Tamils can celebrate. Personally I will not attend the event that is to be held in Matara for victory celebrations,” Premachandran said. On the 19 May 2009, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially declared the end of the war and the 19th of May was later declared as Victory Day to celebrate the victory over the LTTE.