Calling on Tamils to vote for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Suren Surendiran, said,
“TNA has stood for various elections in the North and East under several manifesto commitments and overwhelmingly on those elections without any exceptions.”
Responding to questions on whether GTF had dropped commitment to the right to self-determination of Tamils, Mr Surendiran, said,
“The right to self-determination is a fundamental right of every human being, be it Tamil, Sinhalese, Muslim, Malay, Burgher or Chinese. Negotiations haven’t even started as yet. How could anyone conclude or accuse of anyone taking any sides.”
Responding to questions on whether the GTF had dropped calls for an international accountability mechanism in Sri Lanka, Mr Surendiran said,
“GTF sees addressing accountability in a credible way that satisfies the victims as fundamental to building sustainable and durable reconciliation between communities.”
The GTF has recently faced criticism within the Tamil community on the island and in the diaspora over non-inclusive meetings with the TNA and Sri Lankan government.
Singapore meeting faces criticism over lack of transparency (07 Apr 2015)
TNA spokesperson denies knowledge of London meet (09 Jun 2015)
Government confirms meeting GTF in London (11 Jun 2015)
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