TNA ready to accept Hakeem as facilitator
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday endorsed Indian Opposition Leader Sushma Swaraj’s request for Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem to act as facilitator in breaking the deadlock between the government and the TNA.
But the TNA expressed doubts about the minister being successful in changing the government’s stance on returning to the negotiating table.
Jaffna District MP and TNA spokesman Suresh Premachandran said the TNA was ready to listen to Minister Hakeem because of the cordial relationship that existed between the two parties.
“Minister Hakeem is our friend and we can discuss any matter including the national question with him but we doubt whether he will be able to change the adamant stand taken by the government and persuade it to arrive at a consensus with the TNA on core issues before presenting them to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC),” Mr. Premachandran said adding that the TNA had never insisted that devolution of land and police powers was a precondition for talks. “Our position is that the North and East cannot be developed without land and police powers. We explained to the Indian delegation and the government that nearly all Indian states enjoy land and police powers without interference by the Centre. We are only telling the government to start talks with the TNA on resolving the national question,” he said.
Mr. Premachandran said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had not only told the Indian delegation but on occasions he had told others as well that he was prepared to go beyond the 13th Amendment.
“But no one in the government has explained what is meant by 13 plus. Does it include land and police powers? Government’s rhetoric is confusing with different members saying different things indicating that the government has no clear stance on this matter.
We expect a clear cut policy from the government on the national question and urge the government to begin negotiations with the TNA,” he said.
But no one in the government has explained what is meant by 13 plus. Government’s rhetoric is con
fusing
Minister Hakeem is our friend and we can discuss any matter including the national question
with him