Focus on constitution-making:
TNA mandated to seek a solution – Sumanthiran
by P. Krishnaswamy
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Spokesman and Jaffna District
Parliamentarian, M. A. Sumanthiran is of the view, given the fact that
Tamils have repeatedly given overwhelming mandates to the party to work
for a just solution to their problems, it would be appropriate that a
lasting solution to the issue comes from the TNA. In an interview on
constitution making with the Sunday Observer, the Parliamentarian who is
also a respected Human Rights lawyer says the TNA proposals to the
Constitutional Assembly would be drawn from the Mangala Moonesinghe
recommendations, the three proposals of former President Chandrika
Kumaratunga and from Mahinda Rajapaksa’s APRC expert committee report.
Excerpts:
Q: The Third Republican Constitution is in the making to
resolve the ethnic problem. What are the salient features of the TNA
proposal on the Tamil problem to be presented to the Constitutional
Assembly?
A: We have articulated our position regarding the
Constitution. That is well-known to the people and the government. When
we held talks with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2011, we came
to an agreement that this could be solved on the basis of the former
governments proposals -the Mangala Moonesinghe proposals, the three
proposals of President Chandrika Kumaratunga and President Mahinda
Rajapaksa’s APRC expert committee report. Our position today is the
same. Ever since the 13th Amendment was identified as being insufficient
to meet the aspirations of the Tamil people, there have been various
efforts. All these documents that I mentioned came as government
proposals. These were not our proposals and we are willing to resolve
the issue on these proposals.
Q: Do you think you will get the consensus of all ranks within
the party?
A: Our party has a clear position on settlement, because at
the 2010 General Election we articulated that position. In the
Provincial Council election too we confirmed it and in our manifesto for
the August 2015 election, too we expressed the same desire. Right from
the start, our people have given us an overwhelming mandate to pursue
that solution. The consensus was arrived at within the ranks of the TNA.
Q: If you are asking for a unit of devolution based on the
unification of the North and the East, are you holding talks or have you
held talks with other stakeholders in the provinces, especially the Sri
Lanka Muslim Congress and other Muslim parties, on reaching a consensus?
A: Yes, we have already held a series of meetings with the
stakeholders. We had one meeting with the SLMC because it is the oldest
of the Muslim parties. We have not come to any conclusion as yet.
Q: Do you think the SLMC will submit its own proposals to the
Constitutional Assembly
A: That, I do not know.
Q: Do you expect any pressure from the Tamil diaspora
organisations or any other outside forces on the devolution package that
you should ask for?
A: There is no pressure from anyone, either from within the
country or outside. Nobody can dictate to us or pressurise us to change
that position. Our position is in our manifesto and has been endorsed by
our people.
Q: Can I take it as India being included as well?
A: Talking about India, the current Provincial Council system
was implemented as a result of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord. However, the
13th Amendment to the Constitution, as a sequel to the Accord, is
insufficient to address the problems of the Tamils and did not interpret
the principles and spirit of the Accord in the Constitution. The
Indo-Lanka Accord is a significant milestone in the constitution-making
process and the principles incorporated in it should be adhered to.
The President on January 9, clearly said that both the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam
Pact and the Dudley-Chelvanayakam Pact are important. Had they been
implemented there would never have been a separatist war. The Indo-Lanka
Accord has specifically dealt with certain crucial issues and we are of
the stand that all aspects of the Indo-Lanka Accord should find their
place in the new constitution of Sri Lanka.
Q: TNA’s Northern Province Chief Minister (CM) C.V.Wigneswaran
who launched the Tamil People’s Council (TPC) with several other Tamil
leaders, in December last year is going his own way against the
decisions of the party leadership. Your comments ?
A: The TPC is a creation of various people who have been
marginalised by the people at elections. It seems like it is an outfit
to bring back proposals that have been rejected by the people time and
again. Nevertheless, if they want an outfit like that and want to make
their own representation and present a proposal, it is welcome because
everybody must have the right to have a say in this process.
Anyone who belongs to any particular political party must first abide
by the policies of that party. Any person belonging to the TNA cannot
take a decision contrary to the principles of the party on matters
relating to the Tamil people.
The CM’s participation in the TPC meeting was not known to us until
after the outfit was set up. Everything was done in secret behind the
back of the TNA. Such an exercise cannot be considered a transparent
process for the people’s participation. The people who accuse the TNA on
issues of transparency have not, up to this moment officially informed
the TNA as to why this was formed and what the objectives are. We keep
getting contradictory messages.
Spokesman Suresh Premachandran says it will evolve into a political
party, while CM Wigneswaran says it is not a political party but a
citizens’ forum. There is confusion as to the true nature of the TPC.
Anyone has the right to form organisations and agitate democratically
for demands or aspirations. There should never be a barrier. If they
belong to a party which has a specific policy on matters concerning the
people, they cannot take a different stand.
Q: You have insisted to the party hierarchy on disciplinary
action against CM Wigneswaran but no action has been taken. Why?
A: I never insisted on disciplinary action against the CM,
instead I only spoke against his actions at the party central committee
meeting which I had the right to do. That was leaked to the media and
the media blew it out of proportion. The issue that I raised was his
defiance to support party candidates at the August 2016 general election
and the statement he issued, which was interpreted by many people as a
request to vote for a rival party. That is not something any political
party will condone.
Q: Some leaders of TNA constituents, especially Suresh
Premachandran anad Sitharthan have collaborated with the activities of
the TPC. Will it not contribute to politically weakening the TNA?
A: It does not and cannot happen. The TNA has got the approval
of the people. The party repeatedly got the endorsement of the people.
If the ‘rejects’ get together, to form an outfit and seek the support of
the people, it can never cause damage to the TNA because it is the
people who elected the TNA and endorsed its policies.
Q: How far are they correct in their accusations that the TNA
has fallen in line with the UNF Government and is not capable of wining
the just and legitimate rights of the Tamil people?
A: They are wrong in that assessment. The UNF government is
drafting the constitution. We cannot stay outside and criticise the
process. Instead we must get in and make our contribution to enact a new
constitution.
Q: Do you believe that with the TNA proposal incorporated in
the new constitution it would be endorsed by the people at a referendum?
A: This is a negotiating process. Eventually something should
evolve which was agreed to by the UNP, the SLFP, the TNA, the SLMC and
others. If it is passed by a two-third majority in Parliament with the
consensus of all political parties, that will reflect in the referendum.
Q: The TPC with leaders of political parties whom you said as
rejected by the people seems to take a radical stand with regard to a
solution to the Tamil problem. Do you think that it will unduly delay a
lasting solution and do you think that they have any hidden motives?
A: I do not know whether they have any hidden motives but
certainly their proposals cannot delay a lasting solution to the Tamil
problem. The people have given us a clear mandate to represent them and
play our role in enacting the constitution.
Q: During his recent visit to the hill country, Mavai
Senadhirajah said the TNA will stand by the plantation community and
work for their just rights. Is that the policy of the TNA?
A: The TNA has always stood for the rights of the plantation
people. We will continue to stand for the rights of the plantation
Tamils and also for the rights of the Muslims. |