New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa is not prepared to talk with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) based on the 13-point demands of a group of five Tamil political parties.
Attorney-at-Law Shiral Lakthilaka, a member of Premadasa’s campaign team, said that Premadasa has a clear policy.
Lakthilaka said that Premadasa has clearly stated that he supports devolution of powers within a united Sri Lanka.
“There is nothing to discuss beyond that,” Lakthilaka said.
A group of Tamil political parties recently signed a memorandum highlighting the key demands of the Tamils.
The memorandum contains 13 demands including a demand for a political solution and abolishing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Illangai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), Tamil People’s Council (TPC) and Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) signed the memorandum.
The memorandum notes the acceptance of the political aspirations of the Tamil Nation, recognition of the merged Northern and Eastern Provinces as the historical habitat and the traditional homelands of the Tamil Nation, acknowledgement of the sovereignty of the Tamil Nation and realisation of the fact that the Tamil People under the provisions of International Law are entitled to the right of self determination.
“We will not accept the 13 conditions put forward by the TNA,” Lakthilaka asserted at a media briefing today.
Lakthilaka said that they feel they already have the support of the Tamils.
Courtesy: Colombo Gazette
