Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader MP Mano Ganesan has proposed the establishment of a Tamil MPs Caucus in Parliament. MP Mano Ganesan has written to Tamil political party leaders ITAK president Mavai Senathirasa, TELO chief Selvam Adaikalanathan, DPLF leader D. Sidhdharthan, and TMK Secretary C.V.Wigneswaran.

MP Ganesan told the media that his colleagues in TPA Palani Thigambaram and V. Radhakrishnan are in favour of such a forum. Welcoming the efforts of the government and international development partners in addressing the current economic crisis and subsequent revival of the economy, MP Ganesan said, however, the national question, which is a root cause should also obtain equal attention.

The TPA Leader further said that he has three reasons for his proposal, explaining one being to express the collective desire of the Tamil people to settle down within an undivided Sri Lanka sharing wealth and power as co-stakeholders of national sovereignty as Sri Lankans. Two, commence collective dialogue with all the national political parties and also reach out to the Sinhala community leaders and organizations, beyond politicians.

Three, collectively request the international community and development partners of Sri Lanka to use their good offices with the government of Sri Lanka to insist upon the latter to stand by the respective international commitments, he said.

MP Ganesan also said the proposed Caucus should not tassel with engaging in discussing political solutions of the Tamil-speaking people, adding that it is too technical and should be the responsibility of the respective political parties with the mandate of the respective people.

He further said there are basic variations between the political aspirations of the Tamils of the North and East and the hill country Tamils and Muslims, and the Caucus should only prepare the ground for such talks.

The Tamil MPs Caucus should not be a mono-ethnic apparatus. Progressive-minded Sinhala MPs also can be invited to take part as observers and associates of the Caucus, the MP stated.Stating that the final decision depends on the responses he anticipates from Tamil parties, the MP added that if there is no such positivity forthcoming, he will not proceed with his proposed Tamil MPs Caucus in the Parliament of Sri Lanka.