தவறவிடாதீர்கள்..!உடனே பதிவு செய்யுங்கள்

"An opportunity to advocate for our cause like this may not come again for the Tamils."

Sumandiran emphasizes that we must secure a concrete guarantee for a political solution from all the candidates."

"The issue of a Tamil common candidate will have a significant adverse impact on the well-being of Tamils."

Those lacking capability are using the term 'nationalism' as a weapon.

N - Thanujah

"This time in the presidential election, unlike usual, there will be three or four main candidates. In this situation, if the Tamil people stand united and vote as one, our votes will be the decisive factor. There would be no better opportunity than this to negotiate. At this time, all the candidates who seek the votes of our people must be made to provide a guarantee regarding meaningful power-sharing," emphasized M.A. Sumanthiran, Member of Parliament and President's Counsel of the Tamil National Alliance. He further pointed out that fielding a common candidate on behalf of the Tamils in such a context is not only unnecessary but would also cause significant harm to the Tamil community.

"Moreover, he stated that the Tamil National Alliance intends to select and support a candidate who not only provides a guarantee for a progressive solution for the Tamil people but also openly shares this promise with the Sinhalese community, in a manner that guides the Tamil people on whom to vote for in this election.

Following the submission of nominations for the ninth presidential election, the national and Tamil nationalist political landscape has become heated. In this context, Sumanthiran shared his views on various issues, including the stance of the Tamil National Alliance and how the Tamil people should act in this election, during a special interview with the 'Veerakesari' weekly edition. The full interview with him is as follows.

Question: "You have conducted discussions with the three main candidates in this presidential election—Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake—regarding a political solution for the Tamil people, including the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Do you expect them to include a definitive guarantee on this matter in their election manifesto?"

Answer: "We refer to the 13th Amendment as one of the amendments made to the Constitution at a certain point in time. However, it is not a supplement to the Constitution. Therefore, anyone who takes an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution cannot say, 'It cannot be implemented' or 'We'll look into it later,' as that would be an act of violating the Constitution. Based on this, we have discussed the issues related to power-sharing as outlined in the 13th Amendment with the main candidates. However, as far as the Tamil people are concerned, we firmly maintain that the power-sharing system in that amendment is not a complete political solution. But since it includes minimal elements related to power-sharing, there is no harm in insisting that it be fully implemented first.

In 2015, when Ranil Wickremesinghe was serving as Prime Minister, we were engaged in the process of drafting a new Constitution. At that time, we did not discuss the 13th Amendment because what Ranil Wickremesinghe presented to Parliament in January 2019 went beyond that. Based on this background, when holding discussions with the candidates, two of them have promised to fully implement the 13th Amendment. After meeting with us at our party office in Jaffna, both Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in statements to the media, provided such assurances. Notably, Anura Kumara Dissanayake mentioned that, like the Tamil people, he also does not accept the 13th Amendment in its current form. However, since it is a part of the Constitution, he assured that it would be fully implemented, while later engaging in discussions with the Tamil people to reach a political solution."

As for Ranil Wickremesinghe, I believe he has no objection to fully implementing the 13th Amendment. This is because he collaborated with us in drafting frameworks that go beyond it. However, he has stated that police powers cannot be granted at this time and that they would be gradually implemented after the election. I do not agree with this."

When the 13th Amendment was introduced, many powers were granted to the Provincial Councils, but they were later taken away. When we raised questions about this, Ranil Wickremesinghe assured us that these powers would be restored and handed over relevant documents to me, and he has been discussing this matter with me in detail. From our perspective, as long as power-sharing falls within a meaningful framework, what is enshrined in the Constitution must be fully implemented. If anyone shows interest in doing so during the election period, we should make proper use of that opportunity. However, this does not mean we should automatically support those who claim they will do this. Instead, at this time, all candidates seeking the votes of our people should be made to provide a guarantee on meaningful power-sharing. This is because in a presidential election, while one candidate wins, two others (among the main candidates) will lose. We must ensure now that the two who lose do not later act against the 13th Amendment or power-sharing. This is the effort I am pursuing on behalf of our party."

Question: "You, along with all other Tamil nationalist political leaders, emphasize collective-based power-sharing as a meaningful political solution for the Tamil people. In this context, some say that the 13th Amendment is unnecessary. However, how would you logically justify that the 13th Amendment serves as a starting point toward achieving collective power-sharing?"

When Provincial Councils were introduced, there were intense protests in the South, claiming that it would lead to the division of the country. However, those who led these protests later contested in the Provincial Council elections, won, and went on to govern these Councils. Therefore, those who hold opposing views about something only come to understand that it poses no harm once it is implemented. Similarly, when police powers are implemented and gradually shared across different levels, people will realize that it does not pose a threat to national security or anything else. The 13th Amendment is suitable for creating such an understanding among the Sinhalese people. However, as I mentioned earlier, we do not consider it meaningful power-sharing. Still, as the powers that were taken away under this amendment are restored, the Constitution must be amended so that these powers cannot be taken away again. The complete transfer of subject-related powers to the Provincial Councils and ensuring that these powers cannot be reclaimed are both essential elements of collective power-sharing. Therefore, in the previous government, even though we did not explicitly mention 'collective power-sharing,' we drafted a new political framework that included elements of it without using the term 'unitary state.'

Question: "However, your party's former Member of Parliament, P. Ariyanethiran, has been fielded as a Tamil common candidate. You had criticized the idea of fielding a common candidate in this presidential election, saying it is unnecessary. Why are you opposing this so strongly?"

Answer: "Fielding a Tamil common candidate in this presidential election is not only unnecessary but will have disastrous consequences for the Tamil people, as I have consistently stated. In the current situation, we need to use our people's voting strength effectively to achieve our goals. In the absence of weapons, voting strength is our weapon. The act of fielding a common candidate is akin to taking our weapon and discarding it, which is as foolish as it gets.

We, as the main Tamil political party, are engaged in discussions with presidential candidates. In this context, for a faction not involving our party to field a common candidate and identify themselves as the Tamil common candidate, when no such candidate was available among them, is a matter of mockery. If this were merely a joke, we could have laughed it off. But this is no joke. Instead, it undermines the aspirations of our people, which have been consistently expressed for around 75 years. This is why I strongly oppose it. Our people must clearly understand this.

At present, no one knows the purpose for which the Tamil common candidate is being fielded. Recently, Ariyanethiran, in an interview, admitted that he does not know what will be included in his election manifesto. If that is the case, why is he running as a common candidate? Collective-based power-sharing has been accepted as the meaningful political solution for the Tamil people without dispute. By fielding a common candidate and if he receives minimal votes, it will be argued that the Tamil people do not accept the mentioned solution. Our party leader referred to this as a 'poison test.' However, from my perspective, this is not a test. It is a foolish maneuver undertaken with full knowledge of its impending failure.

Furthermore, since the common candidate is from our party, disciplinary action has been taken against him. He has been asked to provide an explanation regarding this matter and is currently barred from participating in any party meetings."

Question: "The common candidate fielded by the Tamil common framework is being portrayed as the 'symbol of Tamil nationalism.' To what extent is this appropriate?"

Answer: "This is completely inappropriate. I acknowledge that there is significant disappointment among the people due to the lack of solutions to our just demands from the presidential candidates we have supported and opposed in the past. However, the current question is how to resolve this disappointment without further falling into deception. Recently, a professor described this common candidate decision as akin to political suicide for the Tamil people. Nevertheless, I do not believe the Tamil people have made a decision to commit political suicide.

We now have an unprecedented opportunity. Historically, there have only been two main candidates. In such scenarios, our votes have never been decisive. However, during the 2015 presidential election, the Tamil votes were decisive, and the benefits that came from it are well known to our people. Currently, our people are emigrating, and the declining population is directly impacting our voting strength. Therefore, we must use our votes effectively before this number further declines.

Additionally, there may be three or sometimes four main candidates this time. In this situation, if we stand united and vote together, our votes will be decisive. There is no better opportunity to assert our influence. Thus, it is not appropriate to say that we will only vote for the Tamil common candidate or to boycott the election. Instead, the world will question us with, 'Why are you seeking solutions from us when you are not using the opportunity you have effectively?'"

Question: "However, is there an understanding among the Tamil people that they will be decisive in this presidential election? According to your observations, what is the situation on the ground in the Tamil areas?"

Answer: "Initially, there was a lack of enthusiasm among Tamils regarding this presidential election. At that time, the Tamil common candidate was seen as detrimental to the Tamil people. However, it now appears that there is increasing interest among the Tamil people in voting in this election. There are varying opinions among them about which candidate to support.

In the past, even when one of the main candidates was from the Rajapaksa camp, whether we supported them or not, the Tamil people unitedly voted for the opposition candidate. But this time, the three main candidates seem to have gained a somewhat equal footing in the minds of the Tamils. Therefore, the Tamil people are prepared to listen to our guidance regarding whom to vote for. Many are in a mindset where they are ready to follow the directions of the main Tamil nationalist political party on which candidate to support."

Question: "Various factions, including members of your party, have portrayed you as being against Tamil nationalism. Have you ever reflected on what you might have done against Tamil nationalism?"

Answer: "You should ask those who raise such criticisms why they do so. However, I can provide only one example. During the last parliamentary election, not only those from outside but even members of my own party who contested alongside me in the Jaffna district campaigned against me, labeling me as someone opposed to Tamil nationalism. All those who campaigned in this manner lost the election. However, neither Siritunga nor Siddhartha made such claims, and they succeeded in their campaigns.

Similarly, many people here do not even know what 'Tamil nationalism' means. They use it merely as an election tactic. 'Nationalism' should mean protecting the land, ensuring that the people there can continue to live in favorable conditions, and providing a suitable livelihood. Therefore, actions should be taken to promote these aspects. Merely talking about 'nationalism' without understanding its meaning will not protect it. However, for those who are unaware and ineffective, the term 'nationalism' becomes their weapon. They use it to stir emotions among the people and engage in politics. This is what they are currently doing."

"Given that a general election will follow the presidential election, do you think it will be possible to resolve the internal issues within the Tamil National Alliance and unify the party beforehand?"

Answer: "There are no divisions within the party. The party is united. There was competition for leadership within the party, which is a mandatory aspect of democratic principles. However, there is a case pending regarding the party's structure. Various efforts are being made to bring that case to a smooth conclusion. I believe the case will be resolved in the coming sessions. Democracy cannot be implemented without confusion; if it were, it would be authoritarian. Nevertheless, we will be the main party in the election and will contest and win. Therefore, there is no need for the public to be concerned about this."

Question: "Given that you are holding negotiations with the main presidential candidates, which candidate appears to be the most promising for support?"

Answer: "According to the current discussions, all three main candidates have provided similar guarantees. Therefore, I am currently evaluating all three on an equal footing. Hence, I cannot say yet who we will support. However, we must definitely support someone. Ultimately, we need to choose and support a candidate who provides a guarantee for a progressive solution for Tamil people and openly communicates this to the Sinhala people."

Question: "Are you discussing accountability and justice related to past violations, in conjunction with political solutions for the Tamil people, with the presidential candidates?"

Answer: "Yes, we have emphasized to the presidential candidates the necessity of ensuring truth, justice, and accountability. Some progress was made on accountability issues during the Good Governance period in 2015. We are firmly committed to ensuring justice for our people. Therefore, pressures to advance this will continue. Similarly, everyone should understand that only through accountability can we build lasting peace in the country."