PM-Sumanthiran hold talks on issues of Tamil Community

By Easwaran Rutnam  

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran met last night for talks.  

The meeting lasted for an hour and was a follow-up to a brief discussion held between the Prime Minister and TNA leader R. Sampanthan at a party leaders meeting recently.  

A letter had also been submitted to the Prime Minister at the party leaders meeting detailing some of the main issues of the Tamil community.  

The Prime Minister had sought a detailed report from the TNA on the political prisoners and the report was handed over last night.  

Sumanthiran told Daily Mirror last night that the report contained specific details of the political prisoners.  
He said the report contained details of 96 political prisoners, including 47 who can be released only on a Presidential pardon.  

“The Prime Minister told me to discuss the matter with the President as well and I said I will,” Sumanthiran said.  
Sumanthiran had also discussed matters related to the constitutional reforms process taken forward by the old Parliament.  

The Prime Minister had said that the government is keen to bring about changes to the current Constitution and will seek the support of the TNA.  

Sumanthiran said the TNA will support the new government to bring about constitutional reforms as long as it meets the aspirations of the Tamils.