Without explicitly naming any political party or leader, the UK-based Global Tamil Forum (GTF), has clearly indicated its support for President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and opposition to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the run up to the crucial August 17 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections.  

 

In a statement highlighting the vital issues at stake for all Sri Lankans, the GTF said on Saturday that it “strongly” urges the Tamil people and all Lankans to do their “historic duty” by voting for parties and candidates with the main objective of consolidating the “progressive changes and gains” made during the “recent” past.

 

“The presidential election of the 8th January 2015 was a turning point in the recent political history of Sri Lanka where the voters overwhelmingly rejected the undemocratic, corrupt, intolerant and violent political culture practiced at that time,” the GTF said.

 

“Undoubtedly that election outcome brought welcome changes that included the adoption of the progressive 19th amendment to the constitution, the expansion of the democratic space available for freedom of expression and rule of law, and the reduced fear for the minority communities from ethno-religious extremism.”

 

“These changes were recognised and welcomed across the major capitals of the world, and it is the duty of all responsible Sri Lankan citizens to ensure that these tenuous beginnings are consolidated without giving any chance for their reversal,” the GTF said.

 

Though there still are human rights issues continued to torment them, there have been early signs of goodwill as reflected in actions such as - the appointment of civilian governors for the Northern and Eastern Provinces, the release of small parcels of lands to the rightful owners and the release of some prisoners detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Diaspora body said.

 

“It is our belief that these positive developments, together with the new found political optimism and will, could be further strengthened after the August election, fortifying the hands of those who want to resolve the long standing Tamil national problem for the benefit of the entire country,” it added.

 

TNA’s Role

 

Casting its lot with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the GTF said that the TNA has earned the recognition and respect of the Tamils, the representatives of other communities in Sri Lanka and the key international players including India, by carefully and consistently articulating the concerns, grievances and aspirations of the Tamil people and through their several, overwhelming election victories in the recent past.

 

“GTF works closely with TNA as the elected representatives of our people, and our partnership has been crucial in some of the diplomatic initiatives and achievements made in our adopted countries as well as at international institutions such as the UNHRC.”

 

“It is our collective view that a strong and tested representation of Tamil interests spanning across the entire Northern and Eastern provinces, together with victory for the progressive forces in the South that advocate democracy and good governance, will greatly enhance the chances of achieving a negotiated political resolution, accountability, justice and sustainable reconciliation in Sri Lanka,” the statement said.

 

International Community’s Role

 

On the international community’s role the GTF said: “ The resolution of the Tamil problem invariably will involve meaningful negotiations between the Government of Sri Lanka, the elected representatives of the Tamil people and other relevant stakeholders, and it is the expectation of the GTF that the International Community too will play a constructive role in this process. In this context, the Parliamentarians elected by the Tamil people will have multiple roles to play, and these include addressing their constituents’ concerns at the electorate level and articulating and negotiating on behalf of the Tamil community as a whole – be it at the Sri Lankan Parliament, with various international governments or non-governmental organizations.”

(The New Indian Express)