Speaking to the press on Thursday, Selvam Adaikalanathan, a parliamentarian from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said that his party would not hesitate to participate in talks with the government, provided they meet the demands laid out by TNA.
Adaikalanathan was addressing recent reports suggesting that a meeting between the government and TNA was imminent.
“Based on past experience, our party believes that certain conditions must be satisfied by the government as a gesture of goodwill before proceeding to direct discussion,” Adaikalanathan said.
Political demands
Commenting on the continued military occupation of the North-East Adaikalanathan stated:
“In the North-East, land appropriations continue to take place, the ordinary lives of people are in very bad shape and lands are not with their owners.”
He further added:
“The government that seeks to appropriate our land through every department, has invited the TNA for talks for the first time. Therefore, as a mark of goodwill, we expect it to do certain things,” Adaikalanathan added.
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The TNA MP went on to list his party's demands.
“The government must issue an order to the effect that the provincial councils, under the 13th Amendment, function with all powers” he stated.
He further added:
“Political prisoners are few in number. They must be granted amnesty and released as a gesture of goodwill.”
He also demanded that "all appropriated lands be relinquished”.
Engagement with India
The Tamil parliamentarian reaffirmed his party’s willingness to engage in talks with the government and suggested that neighbouring India also participate in it.
“When it comes to dialogue, the involvement of India would bring transparency to the discussion,” he said.
“(The government) must show positive signs on the above demands,” Adaikalanathan reiterated.
He further stressed:
“The primary concern of TNA is to not give the government an opportunity to reduce its commitment to the UN’s resolutions or defang the pressure exerted by the international community on Sri Lanka.”
He further stressed that the government must demonstrate “positive signals” on his party’s demands in order for the TNA to participate in dialogue.