Sri Lanka Tamil party denies internal rift in the party

R. Sampanthan, the leader of Sri Lanka' major Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), has denied reports of a rift in the party as reported by the local media. Reports of a rift in the TNA emerged following comments made by TNA members over a statement made by Sampanthan at the convention of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) in Batticaloa last week. Some senior TNA members of the party had criticized Sampanthan' statements at the party meeting but he has responded by saying that TNA is a democratic party and members could express their own views. He has said that
he would respect comments made by the party members and denied of a rift in the party. Meanwhile, the TNA at a meeting of party leaders held at its headquarters in Colombo Friday has decided to establish a high command within the party. The alliance will hold further discussions on the operating procedure of the high command and its membership.