Ponnambalam-led TNPA meets Tamil Nadu CM Vijay, submits demands

Colombo, July 03 (Daily Mirror) -  A delegation of the Tamil National People's Assembly (TNPA), led by its leader and MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, today met with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Joseph Vijay at the Tamil Nadu Government Secretariat in Chennai and held discussions on several issues concerning Sri Lankan Tamils.

During the meeting, the TNPA submitted a written memorandum outlining its demands and concerns.

According to a statement issued by Ponnambalam, discussions focused on the political and human rights issues faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka's Northern and Eastern Provinces, the call for a federal political solution in place of the existing unitary constitutional system, and the recognition of the sovereignty of the Tamil nation.

The delegation also raised the need for an international independent investigation into alleged genocide against Eelam Tamils, measures to find a lasting solution to the issues faced by Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen, and resolving the long-standing concerns of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in India.

The seven-member delegation representing the TNPA was headed by Ponnambalam and included former MP Selvarasa Gajendran, Tamil National Green Movement leader Ponuthurai Aingkaranessan, Democratic Tamil Party leader and President's Counsel K.V. Thavarasa, TNPF National Organiser Tharmalingam Suresh, official spokesperson and Senior Counsel Kanakaratnam Sugash, and Policy Propagator Secretary and Senior Counsel Natarajar Kandiepan.

The TNPA said it had formally presented its proposals to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister during the meeting.