We welcome the position of the US Congress recognizing the North Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka as the Traditional Tamil Homeland of the Sri Lankan Tamils.
Recently, a resolution was prepared and submitted to the Foreign Relations Committee by the US Congress senators that the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka be recognized as the traditional homeland of the Tamils. There is a great opportunity for it to be adopted at the Senate if submitted.
We observe this position of the United States as a means of recognizing the traditional homeland ideology of the Sri Lankan Tamils in the international arena and of helping the gradual victory of the political demands of our people.
This step can be attributed to the recent resolution 46/1 adopted at the UNHRC stressing for provincial council elections to be held on the basis of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Tamil parties cannot underestimate the importance of the 1987 constitutional amendment in the global politics, made possible by the Indo-Lanka Accord, which emphasized the unified Northeast. This agreement, adopted by the Government of Sri Lanka, accepting that the united North and East as the historical or traditional habitats of the Sri Lankan Tamils, has today paved the way for the United States to recognize the North East as the Traditional homeland of Sri Lankan Tamils, especially in the international arena.
We are confident that the resolution will be successfully adopted by the US Senate with the approval of the Foreign Relations Committee.
This will no doubt reinforce the Tamils demand for a united North-East homeland and a political solution based on it.
Moreover, the decision of the US State Committee heavily depends on India’s position. We, the Tamil parties in domestic politics, must work with a united voice to strengthen the efforts of the US and international community.
We have recently emphasized the need for the unity of the Tamil parties to harness the geo political developments and make it favorable to our people. We have also commenced the initial phase of discussions with parties.
If we fail to work together for the benefit of our people to harness the international political environment at this moment, considering our positions, electoral motives, party interests and personal pride, we are, beyond any justification, committing a grave historical betrayal to our community.
Surenthiran
Official Spokesman- TELO
Tamil National Alliance TNA