TNA to be invited for APRC

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is to be invited to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) which is poised to complete their deliberations towards a future power sharing mechanism for Sri Lanka, APRC Chairman Prof. Tissa Vitharana said.

He said: "I feel that the TNA should now realise the genuine needs and aspirations of Tamils should be expressed, not just the needs of the LTTE. "

With the emerging developments in the North, Prof. Vitharana said he was of the view that the TNA should play a more positive role towards finding a permanent political solution to the North and East issue. He said a formal invitation will be dispatched by the APRC inviting the TNA to take part in deliberations to add their input to the process that would lead to a new constitution with more powers to peripherals.

A majority of Tamil political parties represented in Parliament, EPDP, CWC and Democratic People's Front (formerly Western People's Front) are actively participating in the APRC discussions which is expected to be finalised within four weeks. In addition, TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree and EPRLF P section Leader Siddharthan are constantly being updated of the developments within.

APRC also hopes to renew its invitation to hardliners like the JVP and the JHU who had been pressing for a military victory over the LTTE before going for a political solution, he said.

"What we plan to do is to continue the current process and hand them the final draft for their inputs before it is submitted to the President."