The Tamil National Alliance has released a statement reiterating their commitment to a federal solution and urging the Sri Lankan government to immediately hold provincial elections and provide for meaningful devolutions.
“The Tamil people have, since 1956, consistently given the Tamil political parties a mandate to work towards a political solution to the Tamil National Question by means of a federal arrangement in the North-East, which was recognised as the ‘historical habitation’ of the Tamil speaking people in the Indo-Lanka Accord” the TNA statement reads.
The statement further notes the efforts of the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill the aspirations of the Tamil people. India’s Foreign Secretary has urged for:
“Meaningful devolution of powers and the full implementation of the 13th Amendment are essential components of addressing and facilitation the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka”.
The TNA statement added:
“The 13th amendment to the constitution is part of the constitution of Sri Lanka, and not a separate appendage”.
The statement further noted that 13th Amendment alone will not meet the legitimation of the Tamil people.
The TNA further condemned the stalling of the provincial council elections for more than three years and noted that the 9 provincial councils have ceased to function.
The statement concludes by maintaining that there is no contradiction between calling for immediate provincial council elections and meaning devolution.
Our stand on Political Solution, 13A and PC elections: pic.twitter.com/8giDAvI8oM
— TNAMedia (@TNAmediaoffice) July 31, 2023
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