Talks between Sri Lankan government and Tamil party likely to re-commence tomorrow

Representatives of the Sri Lankan government and the major Tamil political party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) are likely to re-commence talks on finding a political solution to the ethnic issue tomorrow.


TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran told ColomboPage that the discussions between the government and the TNA were highly likely to recommence tomorrow.

The discussion between the government and the TNA stalled a few months back following a dispute on the government's failure to hand its proposals to resolve the ethnic issue on writing.

At the end of the 10th round of talks held in early August, the Tamil party threatened to withdraw from the talks with the government on power devolution if the government fails to step up the pace for a meaningful resolution.

However, the dialogue is to re-commence following separate meetings held between the government and the TNA with US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake. Concluding his recent visit Blake said the government and the TNA should engage in a dialogue aimed at finding a solution to the ethnic issue.

When asked if the government and the TNA talks are to resume following a request made by Blake, Premachandran said that even the Indian government had requested the TNA to continue the discussion with the government.

However, he did not confirm any details about the possible discussion tomorrow.