TNA and GTF meet on N&E issues
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
South Africa's Transformation Initiative convened a meeting in London, with the participation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) , the Global Tamil Forum(GTF) and the Sri Lankan Government, on solving humanitarian problems in the North and East.
The need for constructive engagement by the Sri Lankan Diaspora was discussed, including the needs of displaced people in the North and East according to a joint statement released by the TNA and the GTF after a special meeting was convened in London on the directive of Transformation Initiative South Africa .
The meeting commenced on 4 June and concluded on 7 June. 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 two thousand families in these newly released lands.
The TNA Parliamentarian M.A.Sumanthiran and the GTF convener Suren Surendran in a joint statement confirmed the participation of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and the Norway's former Special Envoy Erick Solheim at the London meeting.
The details of the joint statement by the TNA and the GTF is as follows: "The release of prisoners held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in the light of the review by the Ministry of Justice was also 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."
Meanwhile the secret nature of the meeting with the participation of Tamil National Party (TNA) and Global Tamil Forum (GTF) with representatives of the Sri Lankan Government and various other 'stakeholders' in London had drawn criticism from certain constituent party members of the TNA.
Ceylon Today
The EPRLF leader and the TNA spokesperson expressing his views over the London meeting said that the lack of transparency meant that observers could only assume that the meetings were to save the previous regime from an international inquiry.
Premachandran also criticized the failure to invite Northern and Eastern Provincial Council Members to the meetings since they were the most apt to discuss the immediate needs of the Tamil people. (PA)