The Tamil leaders and members of Parliament who participated in today’s discussion say that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to take action regarding the demands of the Tamil National Parties, including the political issues of the Tamil people, power sharing and the new constitution.
However, they say that the president has decided to discuss these issues before January 31 next year and take a final decision.
M.A. Sumanthran, Member of Parliament of the Federation, expressed his opinion after the meeting with the President.
Today we talked about three things. Firstly, we talked about the issue of missing persons, release of political prisoners, land occupation etc.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe has assured that he will immediately talk to the relevant people and provide an appropriate solution within the month of January.
Ranil’s deadline
Secondly, how to implement the power sharing issues that are already in the law and constitution? We also had ideas on how to conduct the provincial assembly elections.
The President has replied that he can take decisions related to it during the speech in January.
Thirdly, we have highlighted the issues related to the new constitution which is going to be for a long time. We have put forward demands that cover all aspects including sharing of powers.
The principal’s reply was, “We don’t have to start from the beginning for this. There are already many reports in this regard. There are compromises. There are also drafts. Therefore, we have to take a decision in January itself on how to create a new constitution by including all of them.
Because before next year’s 75th Independence Day event, will there be ethnic harmony in the country? Isn’t it? He himself has set a deadline for a decision to be taken.
Racial harmony
So can we bring about racial harmony in the country from the talks that are taking place in January? Or we can come to a conclusion that we can’t.
The president is telling us that he should announce the decision before February 4th.
So we are saying that even if it is a very short period of time, we will try to talk about these issues and come to an agreement within that period,” he said.
Speaking after the meeting with the President, Tamil Progressive Alliance leader and Member of Parliament Mano Ganesan said.
There is a general consensus especially in this country.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa have most of the harmony. They are the best compatibility.
The president has said that he will give a solution before February 4th. It’s two months away. So we cannot talk about new things now.
The only solution to this is the 13th Amendment. It is not a complete solution. But, let’s start with that. I have told you to start from there and show your honesty,” he said.
Speaking after the meeting with the President, Tamil People’s National Alliance leader and Member of Parliament C.V. Vigneswaran
“We were all present in this meeting like the leaders of many Tamil parties, leaders of Sinhalese and Muslim parties.
The President should come to a decision regarding the resolution of ethnic issues before the 75th Independence Day. The principal asked us how to do this.
We highlighted important issues such as the issue of missing persons, the release of Tamil political prisoners and land grabbing.
Our first demand was that the problems facing the people of the North East should be resolved immediately.
Second, we must take steps to secure the rights already granted by the Act. That is, the 13th Amendment Act and the Provincial Councils Movement.
Next, we have prepared various documents so far. In relation to solving the problems of the Tamil people – how to present them and study them and what kind of solution can be brought through politics and we have come to a solution by talking and coming to a decision.
On that basis we are going to consider these three issues simultaneously. The government is saying yes to that,” he said.
Although the leaders of the Sinhala Muslim Tamil parties participated in today’s discussion, the Tamil National People’s Front rejected it.