The Chief Minister of the Northern Province has spoken about the Tamil People’s Council’s aims, reassuring that the council will not work against political parties or the wellbeing of the Tamil people.

Speaking at the Council’s second meeting, C. V. Wigneswaran, who also heads the TPC refuted criticism of the creation of the council and explained the motives behind the move.

Mr Wigneswaran said the TPC would act as an operation to gather, organise and publish the people’s views as well as assist political representatives whose aim is to protect the wellbeing of the Tamil people. The organisation aims to unite the Tamil people to win our rights, he said.

Expanding on the council’s three main objectives, Mr Wigneswaran said that they would firstly work to build a grassroots movement which could drive political leaders to achieve a solid solution for the Tamil people.

“Any freedom movement must act with the grassroots as a foundation. Individuals and middle-men cannot obtain a solution for us,” he said.

Secondly, the council will work to put an end to so-called practical politics trumping principles, Mr Wigneswaran said.

Finally, Mr Wigneswaran explained, the movement for Tamil rights must transcend party politics. Although not criticising parties in themselves, the Chief Minister called for greater transparency in party policy making and organisation.

However Mr Wigneswaran said that the Tamil People’s Council could act as a research and data support centre for political representatives, in particular during foreign official visits.

Mr Wigneswaran praised the advantages of pluralism within the organisation, saying “diverse ideas are important for a people’s organisation. All types of views must be explored.”

While calling for parliamentary parties, especially the TNA to accept the Council as a positive and supportive force, Mr Wigneswaran noted that the move had not been welcomed in the South.

“Now there is panic in the South of Sri Lanka that the Tamil people are all getting together. The belief that there must not be any space for that is also spreading,” he said.