The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) pledged to call for a political solution that ensures self-rule for Tamils and Muslims living in the North-East, and called for action regarding the socio-economic, educational and cultural needs of the Tamil people, in 32 declarations made at the party's May Day event on Monday.

"While chauvinist forces are working within the state's agenda to erase a nation's identity, we will mobilise and strongly call for the international community to recognise a political solution that establishes self-rule for Tamils and Muslims living in their lands in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka, using diplomatic and strategic approaches with regards to the support and opportunities that are arising within the international community to investigate war crimes and find a solution to the ethnic conflict which remains unresolved," the TNA pledged.
 
Below is a translation of key resolutions published by the Uthayan:

"Jobs opportunities should be given to those who are unemployed, as well as guaranteeing employment appropriate to university qualifications.

Land belonging to Tamils and Muslims in the Northern and Eastern provinces, including temples, schools, public buildings, properties, should be freed from the military's possession.

In total, 2 lakhs people across the country and 2 lakhs people in camps in India remain as refugees, in particular, people in Valikaamam North [have been refugees] for 25 years and people in Sampur, for over 5 years. Until they resettled they should be given sufficient [aid] relief.

The military passes system that bans fishing in the seas off the Northern and Eastern regions, should be stopped.

The exploitation of fish stocks by fisherpeople from India, China, and the south of the island should be stopped immediately.

The syllabus at higher education colleges and universities has not been changed to reflect the growing international developments in science, technology, economics of globalisation and market economics. Educational policy plans divided into regions, based on scientific research and employment opportunities, should be included. The enforcement of national policies, inappropriate to the regions and the world, should be stopped.

The military should stop intruding into schools and universities.

Military involvement in students' education should be stopped.

In Northern and Eastern provinces there are thousands of mothers, babies and children, living under the poverty line, suffering from malnutrition due to the lack of food. They should be given nutritional food in schools and in public places.

Farmers affected by the droughts whose production has fallen should be given relief and compensation until the next rainfall.

Prisoners, including women, who have been imprisoned in jail for over ten years citing political reasons, without being released or being sentenced, should be either be released or have a case filed in court.

Business people and farmers, who were affected by the war and are below the poverty lines, are unable to pay the interest on loans from banks. The bank employees are also under pressure. Similarly, farmers are greatly affected by drought and flooding. The government should take action to clear these debts under a public scheme.

Cooperatives have done a good service, particularly regarding the needs of the people in the North, through economic developments and community participation. However, the cooperatives have collapsed due to new economic policies, privatisation and investments by top bosses [of big corporations]. They are not even able to pay their employees. The government should provide assistance to the cooperatives to enable them to compete with the private companies.

The use of drugs and alcohol from the West of increased concentrations has grown in Tamil regions. The youth should be safeguarded from the disintegration of culture.

Sexual assaults against women, and sexual abuse against children, should be stopped. In addition to raising awareness of this amongst the people, action should be taken to safeguard young women and children. The provinces should have legal powers for this.

In addition to the full repletion of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) that is used in Sri Lanka, the impact of this should be investigated by a trusted commission, and those affected should be given relief.

On May Day, we will unite with those here and internationally, to give a voice and fight for the benefit of labourers, farmers, scientists, technicians and consumers.

While chauvinist forces are working within the state's agenda to erase a nation's identity, we will mobilise and strongly call for the international community to recognise a political solution that establishes self-rule for Tamils and Muslims living in their lands in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka, using diplomatic and strategic approaches with regards to the support and opportunities that are arising within the international community to investigate war crimes and find a solution to the ethnic conflict which remains unresolved."