TNA, GTF, Mangala in confidence boosting talks in London
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) continued their informal dialogue over the last two days in London with various stakeholders to enhance confidence-building measures between all communities within and outside Sri Lanka.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera was also present at the discussions. Issuing a joint press statement yesterday, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran and Suren Surendiran of the GTF noted that the need for constructive engagement by the Sri Lankan Diaspora was discussed at the meeting, including the needs of displaced people.
“It was agreed that a further meeting will be called to present the requirements to various High Commissioners and Ambassadors based in Sri Lanka, with the aim to raise funds for housing of over 2,000 families in these newly-released lands,” the press statement said.
The statement added that the release of prisoners held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in light of the review by the Ministry of Justice had also been discussed.
“The TNA and the GTF further raised the issue of listing of Diaspora organisations and individuals by the previous Government. Ideas of ways in which the Sri Lankan Diaspora could assist by bringing its exceptional capacity and capabilities were explored,” Sumanthiran and Surendiran said in their statement.
Daily Financial Times