TNA calls for UNHRC action against Sri Lanka
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday called for further action by the United Nations Human Rights Council ( UNHRC) against the government of Sri Lanka.
Issuing a statement, the party said that appropriate action at the UNHRC was absolutely necessary to persuade the GOSL to comply with the UNHCR resolution and to discontinue what it called the 'harmful agenda against the Tamil People of Sri Lanka'.
The statement said, "A delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is presently in South Africa. This is consequent to an initiative by the Government of South Africa and the African National Congress to share their own experiences in Conflict Resolution and Truth and Reconciliation.
"The South African initiative commenced in the year 2011 when a delegation led by their Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Sri Lanka and made this offer to the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the TNA. The TNA has accepted this offer.
"2011 was the year in which the GOSL commenced a bilateral discussion with the TNA in the month of January to resolve the 60 year old national issue in Sri Lanka.
Appropriate action at the UNHRC was absolutely necessary to persuade the GOSL to comply with the UNHCR resolution and to discontinue what it called the 'harmful agenda against the Tamil People of Sri Lanka'
"The TNA said that although the TNA placed on the table their comprehensive proposals for a political solution by March 2011, the GOSL defaulted in making even their response known for 5 months and 7 meetings, which forced the TNA to refuse to agree to the next date of meeting. Thereafter the President met with the leader of the TNA and the bilateral discussions recommenced on the 16th of September 2011 on the following agreements: 1. Five previous proposals to be brought to the negotiations in lieu of the GOSL's response; and 2. Once consensus is reached between the TNA and the GOSL on certain substantive issues, the TNA would join the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC)."