TNA for ‘autonomous rule’ for Tamils

A pro-LTTE parliamentarian has underlined his party’s resolve for an “autonomous rule” for Tamils in Sri Lanka, claiming that TNA’s support for opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka was extended only after getting him to agree to those conditions.

K. Thurairetnasingam, a senior leader of the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance, said his party had “no confidence” in the devolution of powers in the North based on the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution.

He said his party will not deviate from its demand for an autonomous rule for Tamils in Sri Lanka.

“We do not want the 13th Amendment. We have no confidence in the 13th Amendment,” Thurairetnasingam said, adding the party wanted an autonomous regime with all powers.

He said TNA was extending its support to the opposition Presidential candidate Fonseka for the January 26 polls only after getting him to agree those conditions, according to the state-run Daily News

.

Thurairetnasingam told the state-owned Vasanthan FM, a Tamil Radio channel, that Fonseka had agreed to comply with all their conditions and the party signed an agreement with him covering these issues.

Thurairetnasingam claimed Fonseka and opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had signed this agreement and their copies were sent to foreign representatives too, the state-run daily reported.

“We have already informed about this agreement to diplomats and the foreign governments,” he was quoted as saying by the radio channel.

“The President did not comply with our conditions and therefore this government should be overthrown,” the TNA leader said.

The Sri Lankan lawmaker said TNA had asked the president to halt the military operations during the last phase of the civil war, but he had refused to do so.

[Edited]