TNA stands its ground

• Calls for President to reconvene Parliament early

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday said it had notified President Maithripala Sirisena that their decisions could not be reversed and requested for the early reconvening of Parliament.   

A delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), comprising of TNA leader R. Sampanthan, MPs Selvam Adaikkalanathan, D. Siddaarthan, and M. A. Sumanthiran, on the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena, met with him at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. 

The meeting lasted one-and-half hours. The TNA had earlier stated they would remain independent in the House and would not accept the change of Prime Minister unless it was approved by Parliament. The TNA has also stated it would not support any individual. 

“The situation currently prevailing in the country was discussed at length. The President explained to the TNA delegation the circumstances under which certain decisions were made. The TNA delegation explained to the President the reasons for the decisions that have been made by the TNA and its members of Parliament, which decisions had been made public and are well-known to the country and the world.  The TNA delegation also explained to the President that the decisions taken by the TNA cannot be reversed and that the TNA will stand by said decisions,” the statement said. 

“The TNA delegation also specifically told the President that in consultation with him, it would extend to the President its fullest support with regard to any future steps taken by him to stabilise the political situation in the country with the cooperation of all political parties. To enable this to be achieved at the earliest, the TNA also urged the President to convene Parliament for a date earlier than now contemplated. The President stated that he would give his earnest consideration to this request.”