Jaffna residents didn’t turn us away

Responding to reports that members of the Inter-University Student’s Federation (IUSF) members were turned away in Jaffna, Convenor Wasantha Mudalige said the media had misreported the incident. 

“It was members of Douglas Devananda’s Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) that turned up with placards,” Mudalige said. “A group of about 25 people who were visibly intoxicated came to us and said that they didn’t want an ‘Aragalaya.’ They said that problems affecting the people of the North have been resolved. They said that we can return to wherever we came from,” Mudalige said. 

Mudalige accused the government of attempting to misconstrue events by resorting to intimidation. “Mothers and fathers in the North have the same problems as those in the South. Their children are missing, some are held political prisoners and the Prevention of Terrorism Act is still a problem for them,” he explained. 

If the government wishes to send Douglas Devananda's henchmen in Jaffna and attempt to brush problems under the carpet, that cannot be done, Mudalige opined. He said the IUSF discussion in Jaffna was successful, adding that a visit ended on a high note with plans to revisit Jaffna soon. 

“The media had reported that the people of Jaffna sent us away. This is not true and it has to be corrected,” he added.