British Tamils Forum urges Tamil unity ahead of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections

by admin
Oct 6, 2024

Writing in the aftermath of the election of Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the British Tamils Forum (BTF) urged for Tamils in Sri Lanka to form a “strategic alliance” and continue their demand for self-determination.

In their statement, the BTF detail the long history of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the party of Sri Lanka’s president, of Sinhala chauvinism and deep opposition towards devolution for Tamils. 

From its inception, the JVP was infused with Sinhala populism and found its support amongst the rural South. Founder Rohana Wijeweera framed Tamil demands for self-determination as in-hoc with US imperialist interests, setting in place a longstanding history of racism towards the island’s Eelam Tamils.

Though the JVP staged two violent insurrections against the Sri Lankan state that saw tens of thousands killed, it found no sympathy or solidarity for Eelam Tamils and instead remained staunchly opposed to Tamil demands for autonomy. The party went on to breed some of the island’s most fervent Sinhala racists.

Read more here: Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared Sri Lankan president

BTF’s statement concludes stressing the need for a political solution that acknowledges “the inherent right of self-determination for the Tamil people” and urged for an “international arbitration process” to support this.

The statement follows increasing internal strife within established Tamil political parties which held conflicting views on supporting a Tamil common candidate during the presidential elections. Sri Lanka's general election is set for the 14th November. 

Read the full statement here

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