Commenting on the unfolding political crisis in Sri Lanka after the president appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister and prorogued parliament, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, R Sampanthan said the party was not concerned about individuals, but principles. 

Meeting with both Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday, Sampanthan said "the TNA was not interested in protection or promoting individuals but its interest was in finding a solution to the national question", the Sunday Times reported. 

“We are motivated by the desire to see the enactment of a new Constitution and the fulfilment of Sri Lanka’s commitments pertaining to the UN Human Rights Council resolution,” Sampanthan was further quoted by The Hindu. 

“We are not concerned about individuals; we are concerned about their principles.”

In a letter to the Speaker, Sampanthan called for parliament to be summoned in order to perform its legitimate functions. 

The TNA spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran was more forthcoming in his expressed support for the former coalition government, stating he was "disappointed" by the turn of events. 

“The TNA’s position has always been that the coalition should remain for its full term and perhaps even beyond," he told The Hindu. 

“We will act based on our principle that both parties should remain together, in order to solve the national issue. There is no change in that outlook.”

Stating that the unity government should continue for the “national question” to be settled, Sumanthiran said “that is why we gave this coalition our support, even from the Opposition.”