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Concern over non-inclusion of TELO rep in TNA delegation to US

23 Oct 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dissension appears to be emerging within the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) over the exclusion of representatives of its alliance partner TELO from its delegation expected to undertake a visit to the United States tomorrow morning, former MP M. K. Sivajilingam said yesterday.

Mr. Sivajilingam who is now a TNA member of the Velvettithurai Urban Council said only representatives of the Federal Party and the EPRLF had been included in the delegation that would leave the country early tomorrow .

He said the TELO had two MPs namely Selvam Adaikkalanathan and Vino Noharathalingam elected under the TNA banner.

“None of our members has been given a chance. We are planning to meet TNA leader R. Sampanthan on November 6, 2011 in Trincomalee to discuss these matters,” he said.

The TNA delegation led by Mr. Sampanthan will undertake its ten-day visit to the US on an invitation by the US State Department. During the visit, the party is expected to discuss, among others, matters pertaining to the progress of the party’s talks with the Sri Lankan government on the evolution of a political solution, MP Suresh Premachandran said.

In addition to Mr. Sampanthan, the TNA delegation will comprise Mr. Premachandran, TNA General Secretary Mavai Senathirajah and MP M.A. Sumanthiran.

Mr. Premachandran is the leader of the EPRLF and the other three are members of the Federal Party.

Asked whom they would meet apart from Foreign Secretary Hilary Clinton during the visit, Mr. Premachandran said, “We will try to meet all those concerned. It does not mean that everybody will give us appointments”.
He said the TNA intended to apprise the US government of the current issues of the Tamil people, in addition to progress on talks with the Sri Lankan government.

Recently, the TNA raised concerns about ongoing land registration process in the north and the east, the alleged colonisation of areas in the two provinces and the militarisation there.

“Everybody knows what the concerns of the TNA are. We will discuss these matters,” he said.

Also, he said the TNA would meet representatives of the Tamil community living in that country. Besides, the TNA delegation will go to London and meet representatives of the Tamil diaspora there en route to Sri Lanka back.

Asked whether they would meet LTTE activist Vishvanathan Rudrakumar during the visit, Mr. Senathirajah, General Secretary of the party, said it was not in the itinerary.

Mr. Rudrakumar is currently domiciled in the US. Also, he is the head of the so called Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam established outside the country.
“This is a visit organised by the State Department. All the meetings are arranged by them. However, we will meet our friends there,” he said. (Kelum Bandara )

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Concern over non-inclusion of TELO rep in TNA delegation to US

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