Speaking to The Island this weekend, the GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran commented on the recent statement by the TNA on their visit to New Delhi, and stressed the diaspora's determination to continue.
"India’s interest in Tamil affairs in Sri Lanka is vital in achieving a just political solution for the Tamil National Question, equality, dignity and justice for Tamils. India is not just a regional power, it is growing to be an international power. Having a regional alliance with the Tamil Nation is not just important for Indian security but also significant to establish a stable region."
"For the current Indian Government, the politics in Tamil Nadu is key to sustain the existing coalition and in the elections that are due in less than two years. In those circumstances, it is vitally important the elected representatives of the Tamil people, the TNA, to engage India at the most senior levels of the establishment. We are encouraged by the Indian Prime Minister’s remarks that `India would never backtrack from its position that Tamils in Sri Lanka should lead a life of dignity and self respect in a peaceful environment’ as reported in the local Indian media."
"The diaspora is united in its fundamentals. Therefore be it at the UNHRC or any other international forums we, collectively will continue to demand for an international independent investigation to establish the truth on what happened at the last leg of the war that ended in May 2009. The fact that human rights conditions for Tamils, particularly for young women and generally for the youth has deteriorated since the end of the war will be exposed with credible evidence at every international opportunity presented to us."
"We will continue to work with likeminded and progressive forces in the south to expose the oppressive and dictatorial ways of this regime. We will highlight through constitutional experts and human rights bodies how the basic fabric of democracy is broken in Sri Lanka by the introduction of the 18th Amendment to the constitution and the consequences that are felt at every election process since, the lack respect for law and order, destroyed general governance, the lack of media freedom and most serious of all the interference and subjugation of the judiciary."
