TNA attends PM meeting, insists it cannot be a substitute for P’ment

Monday, 4 May 2020 13:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), one of the few main political parties attending the meeting summoned by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today at Temple Trees said its decision to attend was to address several important issues as well as clearly indicate that the Party is prepared to extend its cooperation to the resolution of these issues in a reasonable and acceptable manner in the interests of the country and all its people.

The statement signed by the four constituent parties of the TNA was handed over to the Prime Minister at today’s meeting.

In the statement, the TNA outlined its reason for attending the meeting but emphasised that the meeting summoned by the Prime Minister is not and cannot be a substitute for convening the Parliament.

“We are of the firm view that the Parliament must be convened as stated in our joint statement to deal with several constitutional and legal issues that have arisen, which Parliament alone can deal with, the TNA said.

The TNA said the country and the people are in a situation of grave crisis due to several factors including the coronavirus pandemic which has been gradually escalating and much more needs to be done to eradicate it completely from the country. “There is a legitimate fear amongst the people that it could further escalate with grave consequences and the country’s united efforts are needed in this regard,” the TNA said.

The statement was signed by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader Sampanthan, Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Leader Mavai Senathirajah, Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) Leader Selvam Adaikkalanathan and People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) Leader Dharmalingham Siddathan.