GTF appreciates Sampanthan’s appointment, praises Prez, PM
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Welcoming the appointment of TNA Chief R. Sampanthan, as the Leader of the Opposition, the UK headquartered GTF said that in Tamil speaking people’s struggle to achieve equality, justice, peace, respect and prosperity through democratic means, this step had given them a glimmer of hope.
Widely believed to be the most influential Diaspora grouping, the GTF praised President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for taking meaningful measures to address contentious issues.
The following is the full text of a statement issued by UK based GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran in response to a query by The Island: "In this journey, it is encouraging that the most senior Buddhist religious leaders, JVP as a political party, Southern Civil Society activists and organisations by and large have been publicly vociferous in support of Mr R. Sampanthan of the TNA being the Opposition Leader in the newly elected Parliament.
As an organisation that works very closely with the TNA and its leaders, GTF wholeheartedly congratulates Mr R Sampanthan MP and extends our best wishes to him. We are confident that he will represent not just the Tamil people’s best interest alone but represent all communities’ best interest in Parliament.
GTF welcomes the recent statement issued by Mr M.A. Sumanthiran MP as the new TNA spokesperson where he said that "We will support the National Government when it takes positive steps but oppose when necessary".
I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the ?citizens of Sri Lanka have once again voted for positive change in Sri Lanka, and to consolidate the progressive change that began with the January 8th 2015 presidential election.? GTF also congratulates Ranil Wickremesinghe, the leader of the United National Party, and President Sirisena on this remarkable election outcome and is hopeful that they will continue the progressive work of the last eight months with more vigour and purpose (SF)
The Island