Constructive dialogue between Tamil parties

by P.Krishnaswamy

The first round of talks between the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Tamil Political Parties Forum (TPPF), held last week to reach a consensus on a common proposal on behalf of the Tamils were constructive, said Dharmalingam Sitharthan, leader of the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), one of the 10 constituents of the TPPF.

The meeting was a sequel to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's advice that a common proposal from all political parties representing the Tamil-speaking people, would facilitate the Government to work on a suitable devolution package, according to reliable Government sources. The meeting which was long overdue, was a solace to the Tamils and the leaders interested in their welfare, Sitharthan said.

Political parties and political groups representing the Tamil-speaking people had presented to the Government their own independent proposals on several occasions in the past, but had not submitted a common proposal which was insisted upon by India and the international community, he said.