JAYALALITHAA’S DEMISE A LOSS TO SL TAMILS – TNA

While issuing a condolence message on the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaraman, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said yesterday that it was a great loss not only to the people of Tamil Nadu but also to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

R. Sampanthan, the Leader of the Opposition and TNA leader, said that they were grateful for the work of the late Jayalalithaa and the desire she had to find a solution to the issues faced by the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

He said the late Chief Minister’s concern for the resolution of the issues pertaining to the rights of the Tamil speaking people in Sri Lanka, had resulted in the passage of several resolutions in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly and frequent interactions with the Central Government in New Delhi -- on Sri Lanka.

“I also take this opportunity to place on record our sincere appreciation for all the support and facilities Hon. Jayalalithaa and her government rendered to the Sri Lankan Tamil refugee community in Tamil Nadu,” he said in the message.

While praising her services to the Tamil Nadu people, TNA leader Sampanthan said she had played a crucial role in the AIADMK party, which was then led by its founder the late Mr. M. G. Ramachandran and done so much to uplift the living standards of the people of Tamil Nadu, during her different tenures, initiating many development schemes with great success.

He further said that there was no doubt that the leadership given by her to Tamil Nadu and to Indian politics would have a significant place in history.