The Tamil National Alliance will use their election victories to push for a political solution for Tamils according to senior members.

In a special ‘victory statement’, the newly elected MP M. A. Sumanthiran said that he would uphold the mandate given him by the people, “while spending every breath to reach a political solution for our national problem, I will also participate in fulfilling the immediate needs of the people and in strengthening our youth.”

“The Tamil people cannot face anymore losses,” Mr Sumanthiran said. “Our youth can no longer be destroyed in their masses.”

The party leader, R Sampanthan also said that the TNA would waste no time in pushing for a political solution based on its election manifesto.

"Once the new parliament has been formed, based on our election manifesto, we have resolved to address matters to be fulfilled regarding a political solution and the people's immediate needs without any delay," Mr Sampanthan told reporters shortly after news of the party's election victory at Monday's general election.

In its election manifesto, released last month, the TNA called for a political solution that merged the North and Eastern provinces and devolved powers of land, law and order, socio-economic development, cultural affairs and domestic and foreign fiscal powers and direct foreign investment in the North-East under a federal structure.

"The Tamil People are entitled to the right to self-determination in keeping with the United Nations International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of which Sri Lanka has accepted and acceded to," the manifesto added.

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Full transcript of Mr Sampanthan's interview to Lankasri is reproduced below:

"Our people has awarded a victory to the TNA in the parliamentary election that took place, by this, the Tamil people have placed their trust on the TNA once again. We would like to express our heartfelt thank you to them.

"Unfortunately, in the past few days, some bad powers have been involved in false propaganda to confuse people. It affected our victory to some extent, if that didn't happen, our chances would have been easier. It is commendable that people supported us amid many difficulties."

"Once the new parliament has been formed, based on our election manifesto, we have resolved to address matters to be fulfilled regarding a political solution and the people's immediate needs without any delay."

"With regards to the new government, our view is that in the presidential election took place in January this year, the people living in this country eliminated the former president and chose the new president, we wish for the continuation of the mandate given to them [the new government] by the people."

"We wish that the government that is being formed, should safeguard the mandate given, and assist president Maithripala Sirisena in the establishment and continuance of good governance. We will welcome such a government."