TNA confident Govt will resolve outstanding issues

by P. Krishnaswamy

The results of the January 8 Presidential poll heralded communal harmony, mutual understanding and a new political culture TNA frontliner M.A. Sumanthiran MP told the Sunday Observer. President Maithripala Sirisena won with the votes of all communities while his predecessor, according to his own confession received the votes of only one community, he said. The wide acceptance of President Maithripala Sirisena by all communities alike is a significant achievement which would certainly help resolve all outstanding political issues including the Tamil national issue as people of all communities have come together, he said.

The TNA members took up with the Government, on a priority basis, the issues relating to people’s resettlement, release of their lands, release of political prisoners and the administrative arrangements for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) to function properly in terms of the 13th Amendment, he said adding that the Government’s reaction was very positive and encouraging.

The Government agreed to release all lands that are not being used for purposes not directly relating to national security, release political prisoners and take steps for the proper functioning of the Northern PC.

The Government is keeping to its promises and has already initiated measures to address the issues, he said.

They have also told the Government that the consultative process on the Tamil national issue should be based on the five identified documents which emerged from successive governments with their Presidents, incorporating proposals, but the preliminary groundwork for negotiations should be laid during the 100-day program.

As these proposals from the previous Governments are very just and reasonable, the TNA is confident that they would be endorsed by all constituent parties of the Government, he said.