The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), the union and political party of Indian-origin plantation workers in Sri Lanka, has extended its moral support to the LTTE and decided to work in tandem with the Tigers on issues concerning ethnic minorities.
The CWC supports the LTTE's demands, including the call for the right of self-determination for Tamils, CWC leader and cabinet minister Arumugam Thondaman who flew to rebel-held Kilinochchi town on Sunday for face-to-face discussions with LTTE supremo V Prabahkaran and his aide Anton Balasingham, told reporters.
The LTTE leadership had invited the CWC as part of Prabhakaran's plan to broad-base his political backing in mainstream Sri Lanka and roping in all Tamil-speaking forces, including Muslims and estate workers of Indian origin who have made Sri Lanka their home. A four-party alliance of moderate Sri Lankan Tamil parties has already agreed to work under the LTTE's tutelage in parliament and campaign for its de-proscription and achievement of its other goals.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the largest Muslim party and a constituent of the ruling coalition, has signed a landmark accord which meets some of the community's concerns and demands.
Under the pact, the SLMC will be a party representing Muslims in any negotiations between the government and the LTTE, and nearly a hundred thousand Muslims expelled from the north by the tigers a decade ago would be allowed to return to their original homes.
Bureau Report