An alliance of moderate Tamil parties in Sri Lanka has warned that dividing the country may become unavoidable if its prolonged ethnic conflict is not solved in a manner that fulfils the aspirations of the Tamil minority.
“If a solution that satisfies Tamil aspirations is not found with a united Sri Lanka, it will not be possible to avoid the country's division, Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) leader N Sri Kantha told reporters in Colombo on behalf of the alliance.
Leaders of the newly-formed Tamil Nationalist Alliance said they would also push for a solution within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, but such unity could be guaranteed only if Sinhala forces accommodated the Tamil minority's aspirations.

The alliance also includes the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), All Ceylon Tamil Congress and Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (Suresh faction). The parties have fielded common candidates on the TULF symbol in the December five parliamentary election.

Bureau Report