'How long will future generations continue to face oppression?' NECC urges Tamil unity ahead of Sri Lankan elections

by admin
Oct 5, 2024

The North-East Coordinating Committee (NECC) has called on Eelam Tamil political parties to unite ahead of the upcoming Sri Lankan general elections to ensure strong Tamil representation in parliament.

At a press conference held in Jaffna, the NECC emphasized the dangers of a divided electoral strategy, warning that separate bids by Tamil parties could lead to diminished representation, particularly in critical districts such as Trincomalee and Amparai in the Tamil homeland.

The committee stressed that if Tamil national political parties compete separately, the vote could be scattered, significantly reducing the number of Tamil MPs in parliament. They highlighted the importance of political unity in securing the rights and representation of the Tamil-speaking people, underlining the historical struggle for dignified political solutions.

Referring to the "People’s Manifesto for a Peaceful Settlement," issued on November 8, 2022, the NECC reiterated its call for a permanent political resolution that guarantees sustainable and dignified rights for Eelam Tamils. The committee pointed out the repeated failures of successive Sinhalese political leaders, who, according to the NECC, have consistently failed to deliver on their promises to the Tamil people.

“This election is a critical moment for Tamil unity,” a committee spokesperson stated, adding, “How long will future generations continue to face oppression and disappointment? We must unite as a community to end this suffering within our generation.”

The NECC's appeal comes at a time when the political landscape in the North and East remains fragmented. They urged Tamil political parties to evolve into a democratically functioning social movement capable of confronting state oppression and addressing the systemic discrimination faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Without political unity, the committee warned, Tamil parliamentary representation is at serious risk, especially in strategic districts like Trincomalee and Amparai, where a divided vote could weaken Tamil influence in parliament.

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