The Sri Lankan government's proscription of 15 diaspora organisations and over 400 individuals proves that reconciliation will not take place without meaningful international intervention that recognises Tamil self-determination, Mr. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, the President of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), told the Tamil Guardian today.

"The international community has been harping on a non existent reconciliation, but the listing of Tamil organisations and activists is yet another step that proves that reconciliation will remain a non starter unless the International community intervenes in an unambiguous and meaningful manner by themselves recognising the Tamil peoples right to self determination," he said. 

"Anything short will only embolden and legitimise the path the Sri Lankan state has chosen," Mr. Ponnambalam added.

Asked for his party's views on the TNA's imminent visit to South Africa in view of furthering dialogue with the Sri Lankan government on reconciliation and a political solution, he said,

"At a time when the Sri Lankan govt has banned a significant portion of the Tamil nation's organisations, on unsubstantiated and baseless charges, one will have to seriously question the timing and purpose of the proposed round of talks the TNA hopes to have in South Africa."

"You can't disenfranchise a section of the people you are meant to reconcile with, t

he very basis for negotiations ceases to exist."

See related articles:

Proscription of diaspora orgs is to demoralise Tamils in homeland - K. Guruparan (02 Apr 2014)

Sri Lanka aims to cut us off from the diaspora - TNA's Shivajilingham (02 Apr 2014)

Dialogue with govt will be unsuccessful without normalcy in North-East - Suresh Premachandran (06 Apr 2014)