The Tamil National Alliance welcomed the singing of Sir Lanka’s national anthem in Tamil, as a ‘giant step’ towards reconciliation, reports eocnomoynext.
Tamil National Alliance spokesperson MA Sumanthiran, said,
“It may be a small symbolic thing, but a very important step in telling the Tamil speaking people that they are equal members of this country and that the state recognises that. It is in fact a giant step from that perspective. I hope more substantial issues that remain to be resolved will be resolved from that perspective.”
Though the leader of the Tamil National Alliance R Sampanthan attended Sri Lanka's independence day celebrations, the TNA official party policy has been to boycott Sri Lanka’s independence day events.
Speaking to Ceylon News, the Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian that won the most votes during parliamentary elections MP S Sritharan said,
“Until the Tamils achieve dignified status in the country, they do not consider Sri Lanka’s independence as their own.” We as a party, did not make any decision on attending Sri Lanka’s 68th independence day functions. The situation has still not arisen for us to take part in that.”
The TNA attendance of Sri Lanka’s independence day celebrations sparked condemnation across the Tamil North-East in 2015.
TNA leader faces internal revolt over Sri Lanka Independence Day attendance (04 Feb 2015)
Wigneswaran says he will reject Sri Lanka's Independence Day until Tamils free (04 Feb 2015)
ITAK deputy head calls for disciplinary action against TNA leader (06 Feb 2015)
Poster in Jaffna uni condemns TNA attendance at Sri Lanka Independence Day event (11 Feb 2015)
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