TNA victory indicates call for power devolution: LSSP
The massive victory of the TNA in the North with over 78% of votes and 30 seats while UPFA got 18% votes with 7 seats, was a clear indication that the Tamil people are not satisfied with economic development in the absence of devolved power and the ability to direct their future development through their own elected representatives, the LSSP said.
The General Secretary of the LSSP, Senior Minister Prof. Tissa Witharana said vindication of the stand taken by the LSSP, and the other parties of the Socialist Alliance soon after the war ended in 2009, emphasizing the need for a political solution to the national question acceptable to the Tamil speaking people has been proved.
Despite the present unsatisfactory electoral system, together with the Executive Presidential system, that was introduced by the UNP, and the abuses that invariably result, the latest round of Provincial Council elections has helped to strengthen democracy in the country; with a 61% poll in the NP and the CP, and 64% in the NWP.
“We are glad that the TNA has declared its readiness to work together with the Government within the framework of the unitary state and the 13th Amendment of the present Constitution. That it desires to strengthen the provisions of the 13 Amendment through discussion is also reasonable. The Government should respond positively so as to build mutual trust and confidence which would lay the framework for establishing genuine national unity as one Sri Lankan nation,” Prof. Witharana stressed.
The rejection of communalism by the majority Sinhala Buddhist community, as expressed by the defeat of
We are glad that the TNA has declared its readiness to work together with the Government within the framework of the unitary state and the 13th Amendment of the present Constitution
all the JHU, UNP and MEP candidates in the UPFA lists, was a positive development. The victory of three candidates from the Socialist Alliance, which was opposed to communalism, the two LSSP candidates as well as the SLMP candidate, Asanka Navaratne in the Kurunegala district, tends to confirm this fact.
It was however clear that the minorities continued to support the communal parties like the SLMC and CWC, whether separately or as part of the UPFA and overwhelmingly in the North as in the case of the TNA.