|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 2 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Security | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
TNA manifesto calls for end to conflict The Tamil National Alliance manifesto released yesterday called for a political solution to the ethnic conflict based on recognition to the "Tamil speaking people's homeland, the Tamils' identity as a distinct nation, and right to self-determination". The manifesto also demanded the resumption of peace talks and setting up of an interim administration for the North-East. "The Sinhala nation should come forward soon to resume peace talks with the Liberation Tigers for establishing the Interim Self Governing Authority," the Tamilnet quoted the manifesto as stating. The manifesto said the solution to the ethnic conflict should ensure the rights of Muslims in a bid to address the Eastern Muslim fears about discrimination by the LTTE dominated interim administration. "The TNA has a clear stand on the Muslim question. An acceptable solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka should necessarily ensure the distinct identity of the Muslim people, their security, the culture and their economy," the Tamilnet quoted ACTC MP Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam as commenting his party's stance on the Muslim interests. The manifesto reiterated the Tamils' right for self determination and threatened to form an independent Tamil state "if the Government rejects the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people". "If the Government rejects the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people and continues to deny them an acceptable political solution; and if military occupation and state oppression continue instead, then establishing the sovereignty and independence of the Tamil nation on the basis of its right to self determination would become an inexorable reality," the manifesto stated. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
