Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the largest group representing Tamils from the north and east in parliament, has joined forces with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to “continue attention” to the Tamil question and strengthen India’s “direct engagement” with Sri Lanka. ” has demanded. Lanka policy.
In a statement on 18 February, TNA and Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora group Global Tamil Forum (GTF) noted that “Tamils in Sri Lanka are once again at a critical point,” citing “Disappointing” Economic Prospects war-affected community and only “slight” progress in times of war Accountability, He pointed to the “many existential challenges” faced by Tamils threat to their landLarge-scale militarization and state-sponsored initiatives aimed at “changing regional demography”.
The TNA and GTF said, “It is feared that a new constitution under preparation could further undermine the position of the Tamil people, particularly by abolishing or weakening the provincial councils – the only ones with direct Indian participation by the Tamil people.” The constitutional power transfer system has been achieved.” For “guidance and support from India and Tamil Nadu”, as the state “has always been instrumental in setting Indian policies towards Sri Lanka.”
The statement, calling for more participation from Tamil Nadu, assumes significance as it comes a month after a group of prominent Tamil legislators, including the TNA, called for greater participation. Letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Seeking India’s help to ensure Colombo addresses the island’s long-pending Tamil question with a lasting political solution.
The lawmakers underscored their commitment to a political solution based on a federal structure that recognizes Tamils’ right to self-determination, while underlining the need to go beyond the 13th. The amendment, which stemmed from the 1987 Indo-Lanka Agreement and led to the creation of provincial councils in Sri Lanka.
India’s “Profit”
Although the TNA and the GTF have noted India’s “significant leverage” over Sri Lanka, their appeal to Tamil Nadu comes amid a growing belief within Sri Lanka’s Tamil community that India’s preoccupation with countering Chinese influence in the island nation has led to The Tamil community has addressed its concerns. After the war ended in 2009.
In addition, New Delhi is keen to strengthen its development partnership with the Rajapaksa administration. there are two governments trying to renew the relationship After a period of stress, with frequent, high-level engagement. India has pledged more than $2 billion in aid since January this year to help Sri Lanka tide over the unprecedented economic crisis.
Meanwhile, New Delhi has consistently maintained that Sri Lanka’s interests are best served by ensuring equality, justice, peace and respect for the Tamil people within a united Sri Lanka, whether at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva or in bilateral forums. But there are some indications that Colombo agrees with that assertion, as was evident in separate statements issued by New Delhi and Colombo earlier this month on the visit of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister GL Peiris to New Delhi.
India’s reference to pending concerns of Sri Lankan Tamils Made it just for one statementIssued by Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. This is not the first time Colombo has stopped talking in its official statement, prompting some to ask whether India’s influence on the Tamil question is “decreasing.”
support for refugees
Recalling Tamil Nadu’s historic engagement on the Sri Lankan Tamil question, the TNA and GTF lauded Mr. Stalin’s ₹317 crore package announced last year in support of Sri Lankan refugees living in Tamil Nadu.
Noting that Mr Stalin’s “supportive approach” was in line with that of his father M Karunanidhi, the statement said: “The Tamil people in Sri Lanka and their political leaders looked to the leaders of Tamil Nadu for guidance, support and inspiration. Their support – directly as well as through the Government of India – has always been a source of great comfort to the Tamil people living in Sri Lanka.”
In an apparent omission, the statement signed by TNA spokesperson and Jaffna district MP MA Sumanthiran and GTF spokesperson Suren Surendran made no reference to the long-running F.witch struggle Affecting fishermen in Tamil Nadu and North Sri Lanka.
Tensions have risen between fishermen on both sides in recent weeks after the death of two Jaffna fishermen who were reportedly killed in a sea-battle with their Tamil Nadu counterparts.
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