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North-East merger not immediately possible says TNA MP Sumanthiran

A merger of the North-East will not be immediately possible said TNA spokesperson and MP, MA Sumanthiran on Friday. 
Speaking to journalists from his home in Jaffna, Mr Sumanthiran said the option of a merger found in the 13th amendment will continue in the new constitution. 
Mr Sumanthiran said a form of a mechanism such as an Apex Council that sees the Northern and Eastern provinces working on certain issues together may be included, which they believe would build trust and cooperation, and then the two provinces could be merged after some time. 
However, he warned that such a method would have to be approached with care as there was possibility for any existing trust between Tamil and Muslim communities to be lost.
Commenting on Sampanthan's remarks that Muslim people had to be consulted on the merger of the North-East, Mr Sumanthiran said the TNA was holding negotiations with Muslim parties but that currently Muslim leaders would not be able to get the support of the Muslim people for the merger. 
Video of the press conference here

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