Contrary to claims by a section of the media that the Sri Lanka’s pro-LTTE political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), has given up its stance on Eelam, the alliance has reiterated the demand on the right to self-determination of Tamils.

 

In its manifesto for the April 8 general election, the TNA has sought federal solution based on shared sovereignty while reiterating its position on the right to self-determination.

 

The stated position of the TNA on Eelam has been that it has never articulated the demand. Under the amended Constitution of the nation, any party advocating secession would be disqualified from Parliament.

 

In its election manifesto, the TNA has again demanded re-merger of northern and eastern provinces. North and east were merged temporarily after the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord. However, the Supreme Court in October 2006 nullified it on technical grounds.

 

Since its inception in 2001, the TNA has been seen as a political platform of the LTTE and fought the 2004 parliamentary election with the blessings of its leader Velupillai Prabakaran.

 

The alliance has 22 members in the dissolved 225-seat Parliament. In the post-Prabakaran Sri Lanka, it is a divided entity with some of its members shifting loyalty to the ruling UPFA combine.

 

The Tamil National alliance, which supported Sarath Fonseka in the presidential election, is contesting the parliamentary election on its own. – (The Hindu)