JHU opposes TNA participation in APRC

The Jaathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), all Buddhist monks' party has declared that it severely opposes Tamil National Alliances (TNA), Sri Lanka’s largest Tamil political party taking part in the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC) deliberations.

Narendra Gunatilake, JHU spokesman on international affairs at a press briefing held in Colombo on Thursday, November 20 said inviting TNA to the APRC deliberation is tantamount to allowing the LTTE to participate and therefore it severely opposes the invitation extended to TNA by APRC Chairman Professor Tissa Vitharane.

“Political solution to the conflict should be found within the framework of unitary form of constitution and not on federal concept. JHU would quit the APRC if the government deviates from this position. People also elected President Mahinda Rajapakse to power in 2005 on that basis.

“TNA would not accept a political solution within the unitary constitution. TNA would advocate federal solution. APRC Chairman has invited TNA to participate in APRC deliberation. Now the APRC has been trying to formulate a political solution based on 13th amendment to the constitution due to the pressure by the Government of India. JHU would not allow the government to deviate from the people's mandate given in 2005,” Gunatilake said.