TNA demands for international investigation on war crimes

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today urged the visiting United States (US) Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal to influence the new government to initiate one on one talks to find a political solution for the ethnic conflict. The five member delegation of the TNA met the high ranking US official at the official residence of the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Leader of the TNA, R.Sampanthan led the delegation. Selvam Adaikalanathan, parliamentarian representing Mannar district who took part in the discussion said they have pointed out the immediate needs of the Tamil people in North and East. “ We have told them issues pertaining on resettlement, returning lands from military, releasing the political prisoners, and establishing an mechanism to inquire the fate of people who have disappeared,” he said. Responding to their brief on the issues the US official said that the TNA should work with all the stakeholders in the country to find solutions for them. Mr Adaikalanathan said on the issues on accountability and Human rights violations during the final stages of war, the TNA made it clear to the US officials that they will not support the domestic mechanism and will push for a international investigation to investigate alleged war crimes. The delegation consisted of Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V. Vigneswaran and parliamentarians M.A.Sumanthiran, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Mavai Seathirajah participated in the talks.