TNA calls for power sharing, re-merger of north and east in manifesto

TNA Leader R. Sampanthan reading the manifesto released on Saturday in Jaffna - Pic by N.Parameswaran

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) reiterated its demand for a power sharing arrangement in a unit of a re-merged Northern and Eastern Provinces under a federal structure as it existed earlier.

The TNA, in its manifesto released on Saturday, said the Tamil people were entitled to the right to self-determination and the Tamil speaking Northern and Eastern Provinces were the historical habitation of the Tamil people and the Tamil speaking people.

The coalition of four Tamil parties noted that the Tamil speaking Muslims in the two provinces would be entitled to be beneficiaries of all power-sharing arrangements in the north east. “This will no way inflict any disability on any people,” the manifesto noted.

TNA Leader R. Sampanthan released the TNA election manifesto at a function held Saturday afternoon in Uduvil, Jaffna. The function had been organised by the TNA Organiser for Jaffna and Vavuniya Districts MavaiSenathirajah.

The manifesto further called for devolution of power on the basis of shared sovereignty over land, law and order, enforcement of the law so as to ensure the safety and security of the Tamil People, socio-economic development including inter-alia health, education, higher and vocational education, agriculture, fisheries, industries, livestock development, cultural affairs, mustering of resources, both domestic and foreign and fiscal powers.

The salient features of power sharing that are fundamental to achieving genuine reconciliation, lasting peace and development for all the peoples of Sri Lanka also included the facilitation of direct foreign investment in the north east resulting in new industries and employment opportunities being created for youth and setting up of avenues for tertiary education for those who cannot enter universities can pursue higher education in relevant fields.

The TNA said it was firmly of the view that international auspices were inevitable to achieve permanent peace through genuine reconciliation.

Emphasising that accountability and reconciliation were fundamental to genuine and permanent peace in Sri Lanka, the manifesto sought fulfilment of the three resolutions adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the release of the Report of the international investigation mandated by the March 2014 resolution in September 2015.

The party said it was “strongly committed to the ascertainment of the truth which must be made public and known to all the peoples of this country, the Sinhalese, the Tamils, the Muslims and others.”

In addition to continuing to pursue a just and lasting political solution to the national ethnic question, the party said it would actively engage in addressing the immediate and current concerns of its people.

The concerns the party would address include, among others, meaningful demilitarisation, speedy resettlement of remaining displaced people in their original places, release of political prisoners held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), ascertaining the truth about the missing persons, and facilitating the return of over 100,000 Tamil refugees in South India.

Furthermore, the TNA will undertake a comprehensive programfor the development of the north and the east including the creation of employment opportunities for the youth with the active support of the Sri Lankan State, the Tamil diaspora and the international community.

The party will implement a comprehensive development programin the northeast, including upgrading the Palali airport as an international airport, and developing sea ports and fisheries harbours.

The party will also find solutions for the challenges faced by their fishermen in freely pursing their vocation and make every effort to improve their livelihood.