Extracts from Sampanthan’s statement, translated from Uthayan:
“I am waiting for a signal from the government to begin talks for a permanent resolution to the national issue. I was surprised on learning that the government plans to undertake talks with the Diaspora, facilitated by Kumaran Pathmanathan, former arms procurer of the LTTE. He is not a representative of the Tamil people.”“We are prepared to come to the table and to select delegates for the Parliamentary Select Committee once the government puts forward a program to commence talks which is acceptable to the TNA. The government’s current claim that the TNA are to talk is just a ploy to trick the international community.”“We are not hoping for empty words from the government. We expect an honest approach and sincere engagement in initiating talks.”“We condemn calls from the Defence Secretary,
“KP faces criminal charges in Sri Lanka and India. He is wanted by Interpol. We do not understand the logic of using him as a tool to talk to the Tamil Diaspora as he has neither the authority nor qualification to do this. He is not a spokesman for the Tamil people.”Gotabaya Rajapakse, and the JHU to repeal the 13th Amendment. Such statements will only serve to complicate issues further.”
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