Sampanthan to address seminar on ISGA

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 November 2003, 18:03 GMT]
The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is organizing a one-day seminar on Friday, November 7, on the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the Tamil dominated NorthEast province. Mr. R. Sampanthan, the parliamentary group leader of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is expected to speak on behalf of TNA, sources in Colombo said.

Leaders of political parties have been invited to address the seminar, CPA sources said.

"The ISGA proposal submitted by the LTTE to the UNF government bears historical importance in the political history of Tamils in the island. The ISGA provides a base to find a permanent political solution to the Tamil national question," said Mr.Sampanthan.

Mr.Sampanthan added that time has come for everyone to think in terms of ground reality and work for the permanent political solution to the conflict.

"Opposition parties and the President of the Sri Lanka should use this opportunity to develop a constructive approach to influence the negotiating process. They should not hide away from their responsibility," said Mr.Sampanthan.