The head of the Tamil National Alliance has expressed his confidence in President Maithripala Sirisena’s ability to present a political solution based on autonomy for the Tamil people in their traditional homeland to the Sinhala people.

“We have high hope that President Maithiripala Sirisena would speak to the Sinhala community with an open mind seeking support to find a sustainable political solution to the six decade old Tamil problem,” Sampanthan said at an event in Batticaloa.

The leader of the TNA further said his party was not asking for a separate state or a federal solution within Sri Lanka.

“We were not asking for a federal solution to the ethnic problem. In 1933 Kandyan leaders asked a federal form of political solution. In 1972 our leader S.J.V.Chelvanayakam alias ‘Thanthai Chelva’ asked for political solution based on federalism. That demand was rejected in 1976 and thereafter Chelvanayagam had declared Tamil Eelam at Vaddukoddai convention. He then resigned from the parliament and sought re-election from Kankesanthurai electorate and won with a handsome majority,” he said.

He said the party was forced to demand a separate state due to the attitudes of previous governments.

Tamil-speaking people should vote for a party that could bring a change in the form of government, he said, adding that this could help to find a reasonable political solution to the six decades old ethnic issue.

Mr Sampanthan previously expressed his confidence that the Special Presidential Commission, headed by former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, can find a suitable solution to issues concerning Tamil by the end of this year.

Many other TNA MPs have been critical of the new government and sceptical about its ability to deliver any solution. In March Kilinochchi MP Sritharan said "no one amongst the Sinhalese had the courage to give Tamils a solution".

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, who is close to the current regime, in April said the TNA needed to "shout once in a while" to keep their identity intact, but maintained the relationship between the party and the government was "excellent".

See below for more.

Government failing to address Tamil grievances – TNA MP (11 May 2015)

Not safe for Tamil diaspora to return to Sri Lanka says TNA MP (28 April 2015)

Government ministries refuse to release list of detainees (26 April 2015)

‘No constructive measures taken’ say TNA MPs (24 April 2015)

Lack of progress by new government disproportionately affects Tamil community - Sri Lanka Campaign (23 April 2015)

Sri Lankan government has failed to address housing issue says TNA spokesperson (21 April 2015)

Sri Lankan army camps on released land blocks resettlement says TNA MP (17 April 2015)

TNA is not committed to LTTE ideology - Sumanthiran (19 April 2015)

Intimidation of Tamil journalists continues under new Sri Lankan govt says TNA MP (16 April 2015)

TNA MP says unlawful arrests continue in East (15 April 2015)

TNA MP hails Prabhakaran as leader, Modi as role model (05 April 2015)

Women in Jaffna protest against TNA for inaction over sexual attacks (04 April 2015)

We have no faith in Sri Lankan govt's war crimes inquiry says TNA (04 April 2015)

TNA's concerns about government progress are "shouts" to keep identity - Chandrika (03 April 2015)

Witnesses can prove existence of secret detention centres in North-East - TNA (17 March 2015)

No Sinhala leader has the courage to deliver solution to Tamils says TNA MP (09 March 2015)

Not safe for Tamil diaspora to return to Sri Lanka says TNA spokesperson (08 March 2015)

Effigies of TNA MP Sumanthiran seen across Jaffna (04 March 2015)

Truth before political solution - Sampanthan (27 February 2015)

Tamil issues must be resolved before considering Sri Lanka's unity government, says TNA (17 February 2015)

Poster in Jaffna uni condemns TNA attendance at Sri Lanka Independence Day event (11 February 2015)

TNA MP calls for internationally mediated political solution for Tamils (10 February 2015)