The Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), a constituent party of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), has denounced a Sri Lankan government-backed initiative by the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and some Sinhala Buddhist monks as “irresponsible” and one that “misdirects our entire political aspirations”.
Koorrusuwaahmy Sorrenthiran, the spokesperson for TELO, said “it is painful that [the GTF] are engaging in arbitrary political activities without consulting with the representatives of the Tamil people, without obtaining their consent,” after the diaspora organisation signed a declaration with Sinhala Buddhist clergy on Friday, and delivered it to Sri Lanka’s president Ranil Wickremesinghe.
“We reject this move which misdirects our entire political aspirations,” said Sorrenthiran.
“Diaspora organisations are supposed to support the political activities tirelessly carried out by the Eelam Tamils in our country to achieve their political aspirations, but it is sad that they are directly involved in the activities that undermine them.”
The initiative comes just days after the Sri Lankan security forces launched a crackdown on those attempting to commemorate Maaveerar Naal in the North-East, detaining Tamils under much criticised anti-terrorism legislation.
It has already drawn backlash from the diaspora, with several organisations jointly reiterating their commitment for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court for genocide and for an internationally monitored referendum to be conducted in the Tamil homeland.
In the North-East too, the leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) told the Tamil Guardian that he has refused to meet with the GTF, labelling the initiative a “whitewash”.
“We vehemently condemn the actions of a few members of the Global Tamil Forum who, in cohorts with Buddhist monks, are belittling the political aspirations of the Tamil people,” said Sorrenthiran.
“We also request and register our condemnation that diaspora organisations and individuals should desist from activities to pollute the political aspirations of the Tamil people for their personal agendas.”
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