Support Federal System, TNA asks Sinhala people publicly for the first time

A special media conference was held yesterday at the Official Secretariat of the Leader of the Opposition. For the first time the TNA called for the support of the Sinhala people for Federal System, publicly in this Media Conference. Speaking at this conference, the spokesperson of TNA, MP, M.A. Sumanthiran declared that,

” The TNA is hereby publicly request the support of the Sinhala people, for the Federal System, which was proposed by the senior and more popular Sinhala leaders themselves. Federalism is not a new word pronounced by Tamil people. It was proposed in 1926 by a leader still revered as a National Leader by the Sinhalese people, Late S.W.R.D.Bandaranayake. He had written 5 long articles in national news paper justifying his stand on Federal System. He had stated in them the Swizz Canton system is the most appropriate form for Sri Lanka.

Sinhala leaders who testified at the Solbury Commission also testified that Federal System is the most appropriate system for Sri Lanka. All the Sinhala leaders and Sinhala people, who had given importance to National Interest had not opposed the Federal System. If, Unitary State system prevails the country will split. When one race try to subdue another race, enmity and separatism will result. On the contrary, In a Federal system, the country will unite with all races sharing the administration.

When the country gained independence, Majority dominance prevailed. Within just one year, the citizenship a race ( Indian descendants) was taken away from them.From the sixties to 1978, several systems were proposed. We also submitted our proposals. But they rejected by the Majority dominance rights. Massive losses in lives and property resulted from that.

This time we are a party in the drafting of constitution. The constitution will be formulated, absorbing our proposals also. Hence, we request Sinhala Brethren, who follow Lord Buddha, should exert pressure on their leaders, to understand the reality and act accordingly.” Answering questions on the proposals of the TPC, he said the proposals of the TPC, which are in accordance with our policy stance will be accepted.