Tamil diaspora should help in post conflict humanitarian programs-TNA chief

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader Rajavarothayan Sampanthan said that the majority of the Tamil diaspora are for a meaningful political solution and added that he has no contact whatsoever with those who propagate separatism abroad.

He called upon the Tamil diaspora to help in the post conflict humanitarian programs.

The TNA leader said he did not feel that the entire Tamil diaspora was propagating separatism.

“In my view if there is a reasonable and acceptable political solution, the majority of the Tamil diaspora will be supportive of such a solution”, he said.

Sampanthan said the Tamils were trying to find a solution within an undivided country, where the people’s identity could be preserved without harming the country’s sovereignty. Sampanthan who led the TNA delegation to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week, said that the Tamils have hope that the Rajapaksa Government would provide a reasonable solution to address the grievances of Tamil speaking people.

The TNA has agreed to work with the Government to find a solution on power sharing and also on issues of the post conflict era to rebuild the nation.

“I have pleaded with the Tamil diaspora to make their contribution to help those who were affected to rebuild their lives and also develop the country”, he said adding that the international community also needs to contribute significantly to address the urgent needs of those people in the North.