Representatives of the six Tamil-speaking political parties that recently agreed to collaborate on issues of common concern are scheduled to meet Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on 3 August.
The meeting follows a formal request made by the six parties after they announced earlier this month that they would work together on matters affecting Tamil-speaking communities while maintaining their respective political identities, policies, and organisational independence.
The alliance comprises the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA).
According to the parties, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss a range of national issues affecting Tamil-speaking people and to present their collective concerns directly to the President.
Among the key issues expected to be raised are the release of political prisoners, the return of lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces currently occupied by the military, and measures to address the housing and livelihood needs of Up-country Tamils.
The delegation is also expected to call for the long-delayed Provincial Council elections to be held, the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and the full implementation of Article 16(A) of the Constitution, along with all constitutional provisions relating to Sri Lanka’s Official Languages Policy.
Other matters expected to feature prominently in the discussions include reducing militarisation in the Northern and Eastern provinces and advancing truth, justice and accountability for cases of enforced disappearances.
The meeting will mark the first formal engagement between the newly formed alliance of Tamil-speaking political parties and President Dissanayake since the parties announced their decision to work together on issues of common concern. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the discussions lead to concrete commitments on longstanding political, constitutional and human rights issues affecting Tamil-speaking communities.
