The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said it could no longer given unconditional support to the government of Sri Lanka, citing a lack of sufficient action on expressed intentions to institute meaningful reform.
"We urge the government to take us into confidence. We have supported the change. We have supported this government. We voted at the last budget proposals with this government giving the budget proposals a two-thirds majority. But as can be observed, we are unable to continue to give that kind of unconditional support any more, and we know the reasons why," the TNA spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran told Sri Lanka's parliament this week, urging the government not to "fritter away a golden opportunity".
"So its time the government takes this seriously, and our appeal to both the president and the prime minister who we know intend well, to make the necessary changes to bring about some kind of structural arrangements. It is not enough to tell the honourable ministers in charge of various subjects to consult with us and work with us, because that doesn't happen. The honourable minister for resettlement was complaining bitterly that the honourable Mavai Senathirajah has said that it is not possible to work with him, and he said that the honourable Senathirajah said that without foundation. [However] it is with foundation. It is for good reasons. That those sentiments were expressed."
"We haven't lightly made these complaints. So when these complaints now start emerging from us. We appeal to the government to please take this seriously. If you want to actually realise reconciliation in this country, actually make a change, turn over a new chapter, have a new Sri Lanka where all the people live in contentment and with pride they are Sri Lankans, don't have a sense of grievance that they are being discriminated against then the right attitudes that you bear in your mind must necessarily be translated into action. And this is a golden opportunity, and we ask that you don't fritter it away."
"A golden opportunity because we on our part representing our people with the mandate of our people are willing to give that assistance to the government; give whatever necessary to achieve that goal."
"The constitution making process is proceeding, however at the same time all of these day to day issues must be addressed [and] redressed. People must regain that confidence that in a new Sri Lanka which the new government has promised things will be different. That it won't be like before. That we will truly be able to proudly say we are Sri Lankan, that all the different peoples of this country will have their different identities affirmed and given their due place."
"Powers [will be] shared among the different peoples in such a way that mere majoritarian rule will not be the order of the day. That everyone will have a share, everyone will be able to actually use the sovereignty that is vested in the peoples of this country."
"We urge the government to take us into confidence. We have supported the change. We have supported this government. We voted at the last budget proposals with this government giving the budget proposals a two-thirds majority. But as can be observed, we are unable to continue to give that kind of unconditional support any more, and we know the reasons why," the TNA spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran told Sri Lanka's parliament this week, urging the government not to "fritter away a golden opportunity".
"So its time the government takes this seriously, and our appeal to both the president and the prime minister who we know intend well, to make the necessary changes to bring about some kind of structural arrangements. It is not enough to tell the honourable ministers in charge of various subjects to consult with us and work with us, because that doesn't happen. The honourable minister for resettlement was complaining bitterly that the honourable Mavai Senathirajah has said that it is not possible to work with him, and he said that the honourable Senathirajah said that without foundation. [However] it is with foundation. It is for good reasons. That those sentiments were expressed."
"We haven't lightly made these complaints. So when these complaints now start emerging from us. We appeal to the government to please take this seriously. If you want to actually realise reconciliation in this country, actually make a change, turn over a new chapter, have a new Sri Lanka where all the people live in contentment and with pride they are Sri Lankans, don't have a sense of grievance that they are being discriminated against then the right attitudes that you bear in your mind must necessarily be translated into action. And this is a golden opportunity, and we ask that you don't fritter it away."
"A golden opportunity because we on our part representing our people with the mandate of our people are willing to give that assistance to the government; give whatever necessary to achieve that goal."
"The constitution making process is proceeding, however at the same time all of these day to day issues must be addressed [and] redressed. People must regain that confidence that in a new Sri Lanka which the new government has promised things will be different. That it won't be like before. That we will truly be able to proudly say we are Sri Lankan, that all the different peoples of this country will have their different identities affirmed and given their due place."
"Powers [will be] shared among the different peoples in such a way that mere majoritarian rule will not be the order of the day. That everyone will have a share, everyone will be able to actually use the sovereignty that is vested in the peoples of this country."