TULF leader V. Anandasangaree wants the government to start formulating a draft constitution based on a federal structure.
"This should be done on a priority basis," he told the Sunday Island, emphasising the need to prepare the blueprint on the expert advice of expatriates.
Responding to questions, he asserted that it was important to prepare the blueprint with the concurrence of the international community. Then, the LTTE wouldn’t be able to reject the blueprint on the pretext of it being one-sided, he said.
A reasonable and practical solution based on a federal structure would silence them and its proxy, the TNA. It would also force them to abandon their bid to justify their demand for institutionalisation of the LTTE’s ISGA proposals to facilitate the resumption of direct negotiations suspended in April 2003. The ISGA envisages an LTTE-run interim administration in the north-east.
The TULF leader said that the draft constitution should specify an interim arrangement that did not necessarily have to be in the hands of the LTTE.
The veteran politician pointed out that a statement issued by the Norwegian government at the end of the third session of the peace negotiations on December 5, 2002 revealed that parties to the Oslo-facilitated peace process agreed to a proposal by the LTTE leadership to explore a solution based on the principle of internal self-determination in areas of historical habitation of Tamil speaking people, based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka.
"Don’t forget the fact that the proposal was made by the LTTE. The government, the opposition and the international community should not allow them to go back on their word," the former Jaffna District MP said.
The likes of Balasingham and Thamilchelvam should not be allowed to deceive the people, Anandasangaree said, adding that the government’s effort to draft a new constitution should get underway immediately.
"It should not be for the benefit of any organisation or any individual but for the good of the entire country," he declared.
Anandasangaree emphasised that it should protect the interests of the majority and the minorities. The government, he stressed, should not hesitate to involve the opposition in this process. But the most important thing is to prepare the document under international expert supervision.
"We can secure help from countries which have constitutions based on federal structures. Unfortunately we are not doing what we should do. Instead, we are wasting time on futile exercises."
Anandasangaree said there was no point discussing the LTTE’s ISGA proposals. "No sensible government would discuss these proposals. They would also not meet the aspirations of the Tamil speaking people." The ISGA proposals go beyond any reasonable solution based on a federal set-up. The ISGA, he said, was a blueprint for dividing this country on ethnic lines that would lead to further problems.
He also dismissed the LTTE claim that the last parliamentary elections in April endorsed the LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamil speaking people. Don’t forget what the European Union Election Observer Mission headed by John Cushnahan said about the LTTE and its TNA representatives, Anandasangaree said. He said the LTTE inspired violence was due to two factors. "Firstly, the LTTE intended that no Tamil party (or Tamil candidates from mainstream political alliances) other than the TNA would be able to claim to represent Tamil interests. A chilling message to this effect was sent early in the campaign when a UNP candidate and an EPDP activist were murdered. Secondly, the split between LTTE factions exacerbated the situation resulting in more bloodshed."
