Changes in Lanka Constitution anti-Tamil: Tamil Nadu parties

Following the outcry of Tamil leaders including DMK Chief M Karunanidhi, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko and VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan over the proposed amendments in the Sri Lankan Constitution, Head of Dravidar Kazhagam K Veeramani has also expressed his displeasure stating the new Constitution will destroy the hopes of Tamils in the country. 

Quoting the proposals, which, according to him, are highly dangerous to the Tamils in Sri Lanka, he said in a statement that the amendments strip the states of all powers and only the Parliament has the right to pass resolutions. “The proposed Constitution is trying to make the Tamil people permanent slaves in the country,” he pointed out. “The Indian government should put pressure on Sri Lankan government to create a useful constitution, which will treat all citizens of the country as same with equal rights.”

Earlier, seeking India’s intervention in the matter, DMK Chief Karunanidhi said Sirisena had in a recent meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ‘categorically’ stated that “there will be no place” for the concept of Federation in the new Constitution that seeks to replace the one adopted in 1978 by the island republic. “If the doors of Federation are not opened and rights not devolved, how can Tamils live with dignity, relief and equality. Sirisena’s announcement that there will be no possibility for federation amounts to rubbing salt to injury,” he said. 

Giving a historical account to the issue, MDMK head Vaiko recalled how Viscount Soulbury, who wrote the first constitution of Sri Lanka statement, later admitted that he has done injustice to Tamils. “But the same injustice was carried to the next two constitutions government led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike and then JR Jayewardene,” Vaiko stated.