COLOMBO: While Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), has adopted a resolution in the Northern Provincial Council, seeking a federal solution to the issue of autonomy, hopes of the minority community seem to have reached a dead end.

Members of the Sinhala-majority main party in the government, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), have openly said that they will not support a “federal” solution, stating that it is not a suitable solution for the Tamil political question.

Mahinda Samarasinghe, a minister, said at a recent media conference that federalism would only bring political instability. The resolution adopted by the TNA comes at a time when the government, headed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is embarking on a process to frame a constitution for the country replacing the 1978 statute, hoping it would provide a solution to the long lasting problems of the minority ethnic groups in the country, namely the Tamils and Muslims.

Analysts say that the Tamil demand for a federal solution dates back to the days when Sri Lanka, (then Ceylon), was granted independence by the British in 1948. But the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, led by President Maithripala Sirisena, has reportedly rejected the latest call for a federal solution to the minority community’s political demands.

The Sinhalese feel that federalism will only strengthen “extremism” and “separatism”.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...