A delegation of Tamilian MPs of Sri Lanka handed over the letter to the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo seeking the intervention of the Indian Prime Minister in the political solution for the Tamil People. The various prominent leaders and legislators from Sri Lanka’s north and east have asked New Delhi to intervene and ensure that Sri Lanka must address the long-pending Tamil queries with a long-lasting political solution.
On Tuesday several leaders and legislators from Tamil National Alliance reached Indian High Commission in Colombo. The leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Mr. R. Sampanthan met Indian High Commissioner and handed over the written request to the Indian Government.
The letter consists of many promises of the Government of Sri Lanka
The written letter submitted to Indian High Commissioner in Colombo states many promises made by the previous and current government in Colombo. This letter also reminds the implementation of the 13th amendment and request to ensure power devolution in a meaningful manner. The letter was signed by many prominent Sri Lankan Tamil leaders. Some of the signatories of this letter are Dharmalingam Sithadthan (PLOTE), Mavai Senathiraja (ITAK), Selvam Adaikalanathan (TELO), former Northern Province Chief Minister C.V, Wigneswaran, and Former MP Suresh Premachandran (EPRLF). This letter also mentions the Indian-Sri Lankan past attempts like the India-Lanka Accord of 1987 to bring about a constitutional settlement.
Notably, this letter also includes the incident of 2015, when PM Modi visited the island country and addressed Sri Lanka’s Parliament where he mentioned his firm belief in “cooperative federalism”. The letter also mentions various interventions made by Indian political leadership.
Tamil MPs of island Nation wants Federal Structure
The letter signatories said that they remain committed to the political solution on a federal structure that can recognize their right to self-determination in the areas of historic habitation of Tamil peoples. They continued and said that we are getting the required mandate from our people (referring to Tamil Peoples) from north and east (Tamil Majority area), we are consistently placing our request for constitutional reform.
The letter signatories also flagged numerous attacks and threats to Tamils living in the north and east region of the country. They have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make ensure that the Government of Sri Lanka must keep its promise to implement provisions of 13th Amendment to the Constitution which ensures a measure of power devolution.
Tamilian MPs also sought Indian Government pressure on the island nation to ensure implementation of “the clear commitments made by all sections of government from 1987 onwards and enable the Tamil speaking peoples to live with dignity, self-respect, peace, and security in the areas of their historic habitation, exercising their right to self-determination within the framework of a united, undivided country.”
Sri Lankan President appoints committee to draft new Constitution
Yesterday, Sri Lanka started their first Parliamentary session of this year. President of island nation Gotabaya Rajapaksa released a policy statement where he referred to the expert committee appointed by him to draft a new constitution for Sri Lanka. He said in the statement that he hope to submit the recommendations of the Constitution Committee to the Cabinet and Parliament for discussion. However, he made no reference to the Tamil Leadership’s call for a political solution in the new Constitution, thus making their fate cloudy.
President also tried to equate ethnic reconciliation for the development of the nation. He said that this is the prime responsibility of the government to provide facilities to war-affected people without discrimination. He argued parliamentarians from North and East Sri Lanka shed their various political ideologies and support the government’s effort to improve living conditions in the war-affected area.
It is important to note that Sri Lankan President is yet to hold a meeting with Tamil political leadership or elected Tamilian MPs since his election to the President’s office in November 2019. There was a meeting scheduled last year in June with the TNA leader that was canceled by President. TNA leaders are still waiting for the new date of meeting with the President.