Akhila Ilankai Tamil United Front

Media Release 

03.10.2007

AITUF welcomes UNP Proposals for Credible Power Sharing without Labels

The Akhila Ilankai Tamil United Front (AITUF) is concerned that confusion has been created in the minds of Tamils in Sri Lanka and abroad as a result of statements issued by certain ill-informed Tamil politicians regarding the United National Party’s stance on the resolution of Sri Lanka’s ethnic problem. Certain sections of the media too have contributed to that confusion. Hence, as a responsible political party, the AITUF wishes to put issues in the proper perspective.

The AITUF has had the opportunity to study the whole of the Special Statement issued by the UNP on 28 September 2007. From that statement it is clear that the UNP recognises that the causes leading to the separatist war in Sri Lanka requires a negotiated political solution. Such a solution must address the grievances of the Tamils, the fears of the Muslims in the North-East regarding ethnic cleansing and the concerns of a section of the Sinhalese that devolution of power would lead to separation.

The statement of the UNP goes on to propose a credible power sharing arrangement between the Centre and the Provinces without using emotive labels such as ‘federal’, ‘unitary’ or even ‘united’. The Centre is to retain all the powers required for the effective functioning of the national government while all other powers are to be vested in the Provinces and the local authorities.  The need for a system to safeguard the powers devolved has been acknowledged in the statement.

The statement also leaves open the question of redemarcation of boundaries of the units of devolution. It further recognises the right of the Muslim people to have an independent delegation at future Peace Talks. There is also recognition of the need for talks with other stakeholders as well as a call for amending the Ceasefire Agreement.

The AITUF welcomes the proposals of the UNP for the resolution of the ethnic problem and calls upon the Tamil people not to be misled by ill-informed politicians.

We also fervently request President Mahinda Rajapakse to give up his penchant for the term ‘unitary’ in any proposal emanating from the APRC, in the interest of durable peace in the country.

                                                                                                Dr.K.Vigneswaran
General Secretary.