Tamil question should be resolved in a just manner says M.A.Sumanthiran

by P. Krishnaswamy

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which received an overwhelming mandate from the North-East Tamils in the August 17 general election, securing 16 seats, will work simultaneously to reach a political settlement to the Tamil national problem while addressing the daily needs of the people, Party Spokesman M.A.Sumanthiran MP told the Sunday Observer.

He said the TNA will seek maximum devolution of powers on par with a federal system of governance within a united Sri Lanka by way of a solution to the national problem, while working closely with the Tamil Diaspora on development and livelihood programs for the people of the two provinces.

Excerpts:

Q: What is the TNA policy as a parliamentary group?

A: The TNA has been elected by the Tamils on a mandate to reach a permanent solution to the longstanding Tamil national problem and address the issues of the people. We have assured the people the first issue will be resolved by restructuring governance so that devolution would be in with a federal structure in a united country. At the same time severa vital issues of our people have to be addressed. Political prisoners should be released. Lands that have been occupied by the military and government agencies should be returned to them with livelihood support and various other initiatives that will help revive the economy of the North and the East.

Q: How will the TNA work with the Northern PC in the context of the apparent conflict between the Northern PC Chief Minister and the TNA leadership?

A: The Northern PC is governed by the TNA and all the Ministers of the Council, except the Chief Minister (CM), campaigned for the TNA in the run-up to the August 17 Parliamentary elections. Many Provincial Councillors were fully involved in the campaigning. Only the CM had said he would remain neutral but his neutrality had not affected the people's overwhelming support to the TNA. In fact CM C.V. Wigneswaran was elected to his post as a TNA candidate. When we campaigned for him we asked the people to cast their votes for him and he got the highest preferential votes. So it was the TNA that was endorsed by the people even on that occasion and the council is run by the TNA.

Q: Will the TNA support the request made by the Northern PC on development projects?

A: Our aim is to make devolution more meaningful through the introduction of the power-sharing arrangement in line with a federal structure.We want more powers and that has been our stance even before the Provincial Council came into being. So naturally the direction in which we will work is for more powers to the Provincial Council.

Q: Will the TNA parliamentarians use their decentralised budget allocations for their own programs or will they work in collaboration with the Provincial Council?

A: There are coordination committees at various levels. The utilization of funds from the decentralised budget and the allocations to the councillors will have to be discussed in detail at the Coordinating Committee meetings. If there are any contradictions those will be sorted out at such meetings. But mostly the MPs will utilise the funds allocated to them in the best way as they deem fit.

Q: In taking policy decisions will the TNA hold consultations with the Provincial Councillors or will the TNA take its own decisions without consulting them ?

A: The TNA Parliamentarians and the Provincial Councillors of the Northern and Eastern Provincial Councils will work together. They met on several occasions to take decisions together. We will always hold similar consultative meetings on all important matters.

Q: On unification of the Northern and Eastern Provinces what steps do you hope to take in the near future?

A: That will be part of the final solution. The North and the East is one single unit as it had been in the past. That is the position according to the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord. So when we negotiate the final solution and units of devolution we will insist the North and the East should be one unit.

Q: What steps would you take to bring about reconciliation with the Sinhalese and the Muslims of the North and the East ?

A: The Sinhalese and the Muslims are integral parts of the polity of the North and the East and they will be treated equally by the TNA.

There will be no discrimination against any community under any circumstances. With regard to the Muslims, when we decide on a unity of devolution we will hold extensive discussions with the Muslim political leadership prior to reaching a final decision.

Q: Will the TNA give priority to resettlement of the displaced Muslims in the North?

A: We have already given priority to the resettlement of the displaced Muslim families. When the Northern PC came into being, its first priority was for the the resettlement of displaced Muslims. To maintain cordial relations with the Muslim community, the TNA sacrificed one of its bonus seats for a Muslim candidate in the Northern PC on TNA ticket.

It was part of our gesture towards reconciliation. Whatever powers and facilities that are available with the PC, we will use them for the resettlement of displaced Muslim families.

Q: What concrete steps will the TNA take for reconciliation with the majority community of the South?

A: Reconciliation among the communities should start with political reconciliation. The Tamil national question should be resolved in a just and reasonable manner. When that happens, peoples of various communities will reconcile with one another and work to build the country.

Q: What is the next step the TNA will take to achieve a political solution ?

A: Our next step will be to commence discussions with the government to arrive at a consensus for a political solution. This will be in the context of the UNHRC resolutions in Geneva to identify the root causes of the problems. Three resolutions in three consecutive years have been adopted by the UN on human rights violations.

Q: There seems to be a change in the stance of the UN and the US in going ahead with war crimes inquiries and agreeing to a domestic inquiry. What is the TNA's stance in this reagard?

A: I do not think there is a change of stance. The international inquiry was mandated last year. It is over and it is only the report that is awaited.

Q: Organisations of the Tamil Diaspora communities have pledged their support to the TNA consequent to the the election victory. Will the TNA involve the organisations in its development and livelihood programs on a larger scale for the people of the North and the East ?

A: The Diaspora community has been supporting the TNA even before the election. During the elections, the more responsible sections of the diaspora community extended its full support. We will work with them to develop the provinces.

Q: Will the TNA give priority to development and livelihood programs over settlement of the national ethnic problem ?

A: There is no question of one getting priority over the other. The resolution of the national ethnic problem is of paramount importance. But, at the same time people need to live in dignity. So we will concentrate on their daily needs as well.