Six Tamil Parties Urge Government to Hold Provincial Elections

Leaders from six Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka have jointly urged the government to hold provincial council elections without delay. This unified demand represents a significant moment, as it is the first time such a broad coalition of Tamil parties has collectively pressed for these elections.

The parties involved include the All Ceylon Makkal Congress, the Ceylon Workers' Congress, the Democratic Tamil National Alliance, the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, and the Tamil Progressive Alliance. Their representatives met in Colombo on Monday to discuss the issue and subsequently presented their demands to the media.

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The leaders of the Tamil political parties stated that the National People's Power had promised to hold the provincial council elections within a year of coming to power, but this promise has not yet been fulfilled.

These parties highlighted that the ruling National People's Power coalition had promised to conduct the provincial council elections within a year of taking power, a pledge that has yet to be realized. Former Member of Parliament M. A. Sumanthiran stated that all political parties have reached a common understanding on four key areas: holding provincial council elections, implementing a new constitution, resolving land-related issues affecting all communities, and addressing minority concerns through dialogue.

He further affirmed the political parties' commitment to continuing discussions through a common platform to promote reconciliation, democratic governance, and the protection of rights for all communities in Sri Lanka. The leaders emphasized the importance of these elections for strengthening democratic structures and ensuring representation.

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Former Member of Parliament M. A. Sumanthiran stated that all political parties have reached a common understanding on four key areas: holding provincial council elections, implementing a new constitution, resolving land-related issues affecting all communities, and addressing minority concerns through dialogue.