Rajavarothiam Sampanthan is a veteran Sri Lankan Tamil politician and current leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) that represents the majority of North & Eastern Tamils, popularly known as Jaffna Tamils. A qualified attorney-at-law, Sampanthan talks exclusively to TSI about the process of reconciliation following the deeply polarised elections.
What are the changes that you want the regime to bring in?
The regime should be acceptable and durable and should be looking for the political solution of the problem. The government must take the demand of sufficient autonomy seriously, so can there is enough confidence building. After all, only by sharing the power with Tamil and Muslim minorities can this government aspire for long-lasting peace and stability.
What will be the role of the Executive Presidency in the process?
We are for the abolishment of the post of Executive Presidency as it amounts to the concentration of power in the hands of a single person. Rights are trampled upon and a mockery is made of the constitution. The President is virtually a constitutional monarch. That is why nearly all the opposition parties are for its abolishment.
What kind of compensation package are you seeking from the government?
We ask for the immediate return of the people who are in IDP camps. And only return will not do; you also need to restore their lands and livelihood. The process of building houses, providing fishing, agriculture and husbandry apparatus will help them restart their livelihood. The same demand goes for Muslims who are also in some of the older camps.
But any agriculture or allied activity is impossible till the lands are not cleared…
Of course, we want them to be de-mined. This should be followed by the dismantling of the High Security Zones and further demilitarisation of the area.
What are the changes that you want the regime to bring in?
The regime should be acceptable and durable and should be looking for the political solution of the problem. The government must take the demand of sufficient autonomy seriously, so can there is enough confidence building. After all, only by sharing the power with Tamil and Muslim minorities can this government aspire for long-lasting peace and stability.
What will be the role of the Executive Presidency in the process?
We are for the abolishment of the post of Executive Presidency as it amounts to the concentration of power in the hands of a single person. Rights are trampled upon and a mockery is made of the constitution. The President is virtually a constitutional monarch. That is why nearly all the opposition parties are for its abolishment.
What kind of compensation package are you seeking from the government?
We ask for the immediate return of the people who are in IDP camps. And only return will not do; you also need to restore their lands and livelihood. The process of building houses, providing fishing, agriculture and husbandry apparatus will help them restart their livelihood. The same demand goes for Muslims who are also in some of the older camps.
But any agriculture or allied activity is impossible till the lands are not cleared…
Of course, we want them to be de-mined. This should be followed by the dismantling of the High Security Zones and further demilitarisation of the area.
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