Opposition Leader and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan said the present coalition government must continue to implement the mandate received from the people in 2015 and that it cannot deviate from this mandate for any reason.
Sampanthan made this observation when he, along with several other TNA members, met the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on Friday (09), at the Opposition Leader's office in Parliament.
Sampanthan, appraising the present political situation in the country, said that the government cannot fail to proceed with the Constitution-making process. “If the government abandons the process, it would only mean that the state is unable to comply with the resolution unanimously adopted by the Sri Lankan Parliament for the enactment of a constitution for Sri Lanka as one single and indivisible country,” he added. Sampanthan also urged the international community to play a constructive role in the matter as well.
Speaking on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution, Sampanthan stated that the resolution must be implemented fully. He requested closer engagement of the international community, to hold the Sri Lankan government accountable for its own commitments. “Delays in adhering to the resolution has made people lose confidence in the government and its structures. The international community must ensure that commitments are fulfiled without delay. The International community has an obligation towards the Tamil people in achieving a lasting solution to the national question.” Sampanthan added.
The TNA, issuing a press release, stated that the UN Under-Secretary-General has informed the TNA delegation that he has raised concerns with President Maithripala Sirisena with regard to the issues mentioned by the delegation at the meeting. The release also noted that Feltman would be briefing the UNHRC High Commissioner on his return, about the concerns raised by TNA members.
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