Dilan urges TNA to reconsider stance

“It is with disquiet that I address the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on the conditions it has laid down, which the government should meet within 10 days, before it agrees to the next round of talks with the government, said Minister Dilan Perera in a statement yesterday.

“I might state some facts about myself, to justify my credibility to address TNA. My entire political career has been based on my passionate belief that we are a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. At the height of the war, I with colleagues from the South holding similar views, engaged in street marches supporting peace and for devolution. In doing so, we were confronted with life threatening situations. My present stance is no recent conversion, but draws from long held passionate views.

“All conflicts end with discussions. The present round of discussions with the government is no exception. Any settlement should be undertaken within a framework of two fundamentals. One fundamental is that Sri Lanka will have to be one political entity. No partitioning is acceptable. The other fundamental is that, as far as possible, non-majority identities should be given the maximum devolution, to decently govern themselves, within the devolved powers given to them.

“Much of the recent discussions have been complicated by one party plugging, what is called “Accountability Issues” and the other party plugging, what is called “Development issues”. Accountability issues cover the past, development issues cover the future. In between, lies devolution, whether 13+13 or 13+/ I suggest that a grand bargain be struck. Accountability issues be abandoned, if devolution with 13+ is granted. Development issues be continued with the acceptance of 13+/ Both sides gain and the TNA gets its devolution.

“The resolution of this issue has to be by politicians. We now have a President, well experienced in statecraft, who has got a broad mandate from the electorate. He has, as his supporters, parties who would normally not have agreed to a settlement. It is the ideal moment to continue discussions with the President, without pre-conditions. The TNA too is in a similar position in respect of its electorate.

“Solutions to these problems should be through patient negotiations, perhaps conducted behind the curtain. Presenting ultimatums, striking postures, taking public stances, laying down pre-conditions not only prevent solutions, but lead to the opposite, of preventing solutions. It also strengthens those extremist forces on both sides who do not want a solution and would be delighted to sabotage it.

“I urge the TNA, as a moderate party and being aware of the long-term negative repercussions, to re-consider its stance.