Talks between Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) have caused a split among leading Tamil Diaspora organisations.
President Maithripala Sirisena was in Ampara last Sunday when news reached him about the contents of the Sunday Times (Political Commentary). He wa briefed about the remarks made by Dinesh Gunawardena, a close ally of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and leader of the MEP, a partner in the UPFA.
It’s anybody’s guess why London was chosen as the venue for the latest round of ‘secret parleys’ on the ethnic front, but like any other things in London, New York or most big cities of the world, when it rains, it pours.
While there might be some pro-LTTE elements among the diaspora, there are many persons who are very moderate, says SLFP leader Rajitha Senaratne.
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF), the largest Diaspora organization in Europe, said it worked on a “four pillar strategy” to engage with Sri Lanka.
In the backdrop of TNA Spokesperson Suresh Premachandran stating that he had no knowledge of a meeting between TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, GTF's Suren Surendiran, Erik Solheim and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in London on 6 May, Ceylon Today questioned TNA MP Sumanthiran on the London meeting.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Friday clarified that there was no discussion on the issue of lifting of ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the recent meeting between the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in London.
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) joins Tamils worldwide in commemorating the 16th anniversary of the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka. The final phase of the war is one of the most brutal in recent history, with the estimated deaths of over 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months alone. This constitutes only a fraction of the total deaths, destruction and displacement suffered by the Tamil community during its 70-year political struggle for equality and justice in Sri Lanka. Many tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were killed or made to disappear by the State of Sri Lanka
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) welcomes the recent report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, on the “Situation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka” and the subsequent dialogue at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. The report highlights ongoing human rights abuses and calls for national and international actions to advance accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) extends its congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected as the 9th President of Sri Lanka. Starting from a humble origin and remaining as a peoples’ person all through his political journey, President Dissanayake’s achievements will inspire a new generation of youth from all backgrounds to dream big.
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) is saddened by the passing of Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne and would like to extend its condolences to his family and all those who were fortunate to have crossed path with him.
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) is deeply saddened by the passing of the Tamil elder statesman R. Sampanthan on June 30, 2024. We express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the departed leader and all those mourning the loss of Mr. Sampanthan.