TNA delegates to hold talks in New Delhi

by S. Selvakumar

A delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) headed by its leader and Trincomalee district Parliamentarian R. Sampanthan will leave for New Delhi today for talks on the current political situation here following an invitation by the Indian government .

Wanni district TNA leader, Parliamentarian A. Adaikalanathan said the discussions with Indian leaders would be mainly on matters concerning Sri Lankan Tamils. He said the TNA is slated to meet Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh on Wednesday.

The focus of discussions would be on the controversial 13th Amendment which is currently the main topic of discussion in Sri Lanka.

This Amendment was introduced to Sri Lanka during the 1987 Indo-Lanka talks headed by the late Rajiv Gandhi and J.R. Jayewardene.

UPFA coalition partners, the JHU headed by Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and the NFF headed by Minister Wimal Weerawansa are determined to abolish the 13 A while the Communist Party and Democratic Left Front want to hold the Northern Provincial Council elections under this Amendment.President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to pass the Amendment through a Bill in Parliament on Tuesday.

The newly-appointed Indian High Commissioner to Colombo Y.K. Sinha who was scheduled to take over duties on June 19, has now postponed his arrival to be on hand with the Indian Prime Minister when the TNA delegation meets him on Wednesday.