MA Sumanthiran of the TNA, spoke to the Sunday Leader on the resolution recently adopted by the UNHRC:
Q: What impact do you think the adoption of the latest US backed resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC would have on the country?
A: That will be determined by how the Government reacts to this. If it acts responsibly at least at this stage and engages constructively with the international community, we can do ourselves a favour and deal with all outstanding issues that hinder genuine reconciliation with the help and assistance of the international community.
Q: Do you believe that the Rajapaksa government could deliver a lasting solution to the ethnic issue after winning the war?
A: Yes. There is nothing that stops them from doing that, except their own sense of misplaced pride and plans for dynastic succession.
Q: In your view, what is the progress required from the government in addressing concerns of human rights, accountability and reconciliation?
A: His Excellency the President acknowledged that there were serious allegations of violations of human rights that needed to be inquired into as early as 26th May 2009, when he undertook to do that in the joint communiqué he issued along with the Secretary General of the UN. At the same time several undertakings were given in Geneva at the UNHRC by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe. It is precisely those undertakings and promises that need to be fulfilled.
Q: How would the growing dissention against Sri Lanka in Tamil Nadu affect the country’s progress?
A: That is only a symptom of the disease that afflicts our own country. We must put our house in order and that symptom will disappear.
Q: How strained do you think Indo-Sri Lanka relations are at present?
A: To the extent Sri Lanka violates the commitments it has made to India and the international community at large. The answer to that is in the hands of the Sri Lankan government.
See here for full interview.
See below for other Tamil perspectives:
| Letter from Tamil civil society of the North-East (published prior to the final vote) - Appeal on upcoming UNHRC resolution by Tamil civil society in NE (14 March 2013) |
| Tamil National People's Front: TNPF: 'local investigatory process has to be rejected outright' (23 March 2013) |
|
Canadian Tamil Congress: UNHRC resolution a 'missed opportunity' – CTC (21 March 2013) |
|
British Tamils Forum: Failure of the UN system - BTF (22 March 2013) |
| US Tamil Political Action Council: USTPAC: 'Strong international action on Sri Lanka is well overdue' (23 March 2013) |