Thimpu Principles

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 June 1997, 23:30 GMT]


Joint statement made by the Tamil Delegation
on the concluding day of Phase I of the Thimpu talks
on the 13th of July 1985

It is our considered view that any meaningful solution to the Tamil national question must be based on the following four cardinal principles:

• Recognition of the Tamils of Ceylon as a distinct nationality;
  
  
• Recognition of an identified Tamil homeland and the guarantee of its territorial integrity;
  
  
• Based on the above, recognition of the inalienable right of self-determination of the Tamil nation;
  
  
• Recognition of the right to full citizenship and other fundamental democratic rights of all Tamils, who look upon the island as their country.

Different countries have fashioned different systems of governments to ensure these principles. We have demanded and struggled for an independent Tamil state as the answer to this problem arising out of the denial of these basic rights of our people. The proposals put forward by the Sri Lankan government delegation as their solution to this problem is totally unacceptable. Therefore we have rejected them as stated by us in our statement of the 12th of July 1985. However, in view of our earnest desire for peace, we are prepared to give consideration to any set of proposals, in keeping with the above mentioned principles, that the Sri Lankan Government may place before us.