Leaders of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) held a meeting in Jaffna on Sunday, where they discussed forging a broader political alignment and reiterated their shared commitment to achieving a federal constitutional settlement recognising the North-East as a merged Tamil homeland.
The meeting took place at the residence of TNPF leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and included key figures from both parties. Representing the TNPF were party leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and General Secretary Selvarajah Kajendren. The DTNA was represented by Co-Chairmen Dharmalingam Siddharthan and Suresh Premachandran, along with former Northern Provincial Council member Balachandran Kajatheepan.
Discussions primarily focused on the formation of local government bodies following the recent local elections, but also touched on wider political questions, including Tamil national aspirations, accountability, and future political cooperation.
Ponnambalam confirmed that the parties are engaged in ongoing dialogue aimed at reaching a principled political alignment. These conversations centred on how people’s vote must take shape to genuinely address the fundamental needs of the Tamil people, he said. Deliberations on the form and framework of such a solution are ongoing.
He reiterated the TNPF’s firm stance that any durable political settlement must be based on the recognition of Tamil nationhood and a merged North-East, with a structure grounded in federalism, rejecting the 13th Amendment and any solution within a unitary state framework. “The Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) continues to speak of ‘federalism’ as the solution. However, we cannot accept a unitary structure of governance under the Sri Lankan state, nor the 13th Amendment Act to the Constitution,” Ponnambalam said.
He also pointed to the Tamil People’s Councils’ proposed political solution plan, which had seen the participation of the PLOTE and EPRLF parties. While the TELO party was not formally involved, Selvam Adaikalanathan had extended his support.
From a local governance perspective, Ponnambalam said the TNPF is prepared to field candidates for chairperson roles in areas where they hold leading positions, including the Chavakachcheri, Point Pedro, Valvettithurai Urban Councils and the Valikamam East Pradeshiya Sabha. In other areas, they will nominate candidates for the position of Deputy Chairperson.
DTNA leader Dharmalingam Siddharthan described the talks with the TNPF as “cordial and satisfactory” and noted that the discussions extended beyond the immediate task of forming local councils. “We deliberated on broader issues concerning the Tamil people, including matters of justice and liberation,” he said.
Siddharthan confirmed that the DTNA is committed to continuing these engagements and intends to hold similar discussions with other Tamil parties, including the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), in the near future. “We hope to arrive at a conclusive decision in the near future,” he stated. “It is desirable for all Tamil political parties to unite. We will soon initiate discussions regarding the formation of local administrations as well.”
The DTNA, with Nagalingam Ratnalingam as its secretary, has expressed its continued commitment to a federal constitutional solution that includes the merger of the North and East and guarantees accountability for war crimes.
The meeting marks a continued attempt by Tamil parties to build consensus on key issues facing the Tamil people in the North-East, particularly in the aftermath of the recent local elections and ongoing calls for international justice and political recognition.
