ITAK leader elect S. Shritharan met with newly appointed Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat to offer his congratulations and present a written request reflecting the aspirations of the Tamil people.
Shritharan congratulated Dissanayake, who was sworn in as Sri Lanka's 9th president, and expressed hope that under his leadership, positive steps would be taken towards securing the basic rights of Eelam Tamils.
"In the same way that the majority of the country's citizens have their expectations regarding governance and power, the Eelam Tamils, the indigenous Tamils of Sri Lanka, expect that their basic rights will be addressed under your leadership," Shritharan wrote. He underscored the Tamil people's enduring hope for justice, referencing the ethnic violence and three decades of armed conflict, highlighting their right to “sovereignty”.
ஈழத்தமிழர்களின் அரசியல் அபிலாசைகளை கரிசனையோடு அணுகுங்கள்!
— Shritharan Sivagnanam (@ImShritharan) October 2, 2024
ஜனாதிபதி அனுரகுமார திசாநாயக்க @anuradisanayake அவர்களுக்கும் யாழ்ப்பாணத் தேர்தல் மாவட்டத்தின் நாடாளுமன்ற மேனாள் உறுப்பினர் சிவஞானம் சிறீதரனுக்கும் இடையிலான சந்திப்பு நேற்று ஜனாதிபதி செயலகத்தில் நடைபெற்றது.
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Shritharan stressed the ongoing impact of organized violence against Tamils in the North-East, including ethnic, religious, and cultural persecution, as well as the enforced disappearances and arrests. "We hope that such tragedies will not continue under your rule," he said.
In his letter, Shritharan called for swift action on key issues facing the Tamil community, including international justice for the disappeared, the prevention of future atrocities, the release of Tamil political prisoners, and an end to land grabs.
He also urged Dissanayake to respect the right of Tamil people to commemorate those who died in the armed conflict, emphasizing the emotional connection the Tamil community has to these commemorations. "As a leader who understands the inner feelings of our people, we trust you will ensure that our fundamental right to remember those lost in the war will not be denied."
Shritharan assured the president of his cooperation in any initiatives that move toward such a resolution.
“We demand that your leadership be one of brotherhood and peace, and we extend our full support for a future where the national ethnic problem is resolved,” Shritharan concluded.
