The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) met with the visiting top U.S. officials for discussions on critical issues, before the visiting Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal left the island for India.

 

Members of the TNA met with the visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal, and Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski today at the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Colombo, Atul Keshap.

 

The TNA delegation included party leader R. Sampanthan, ITAK leader Mavai Senathirajah, Jaffna District MP-elect M.A. Sumanthiran and Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran.

 

Following the meeting, Sumanthiran told media that the discussions focused on several issues including the UN international investigation report to be submitted in Geneva next month, the resettlement of the displaced and the release of political prisoners.

 

Meanwhile, Biswal said yesterday that the US will sponsor a resolution at next month's United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva supporting the government to conduct its own domestic probe into the alleged war crimes committed during the war with the LTTE. This is a dramatic policy shift by the US.

 

TNA has earlier rejected a domestic probe into the alleged war crimes saying that they have no faith in government mechanisms despite assurances given by the government.