The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Sunday reassured Tamils of the US' commitment to seeing genuine accountability for mass atrocities committed against the Tamil people.

Mr Kerry, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, met with senior MPs of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in Colombo on Sunday. Following the meeting the US embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted: "[John Kerry] stresses to TNA leaders US commitment to genuine & credible process for accountability and reconciliation."

Speaking to BBC Tamil, the TNA spokesperson, Suresh Premachandran said the party had told Mr Kerry of the urgent need for a political solution to the ethnic conflict, as well as the need for demilitarisation and resettlement in the North-East.

"A political solution needs to be found based on shared sovereignty," the TNA told Mr Kerry. "Only then will the wounds of the people who have suffered during the conflict be healed and reconciliation will occur between the ethnic groups." 

Photograph US Embassy

TNA leader, R Sampanthan, and MPs Mavai Senathirajah, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Suresh Premachandran and M A Sumanthiran were at the meeting, as well as the chief minister of the northern province, C V Wigneswaran.

Mr Wigneswaran gave Mr Kerry two documents detailing the situation and problems in the Northern province.

Mr Kerry said the TNA should use this opportunity brought about by the change in government and political climate to heal the wounds of the conflict, to bring about good relations and reconciliation between the races.

The TNA had also said that the ongoing military presence over civilian areas of land, despite the end of the armed conflict, is continuing to cause difficulties to displaced persons and hinder their resettlement, Mr Premachandran told BBC Tamil.

Many issues including regarding the disappeared and Tamil political prisoners were also discussed, he added.