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Thimpu Talks -
July/August 1985
Response of Dr.H.W.Jayawardene Q.C.
to the Statement of the Tamil Delegation
on the Question of its Representative Character
- 15 August 1985
Dr H.W. Jayewardene's Statement of 12th August 1985 did not intend to raise
any question as to the legitimacy of the delegations present here. In view of
the clarifications sought we state our position as follows:-
1. The Sri Lanka Government delegation represents all communities in Sri
Lanka including the Tamils of recent Indian origin. In the Sri Lanka Government
itself there are elect representatives of the Tamil people.
2. The Tamil delegations here claim to represent the entire Tamil people in
Sri Lanka. In view of the fact that the Sri lanka Government delegation also
represents certain Tamil interest we cannot accept the position that the groups
present here represent all the Tamils of Sri Lanka, or are the sole
representatives of the Tamil people.
It is well-known that a recognised Tamil political party, the Tamil Congress
as well as certain other Tamil militant groups are not represented here.
3. There is sufficient representation of the Tamil people at these talks
to reach a negotiated settlement regarding the problems that have been
identified, and it is for this reason that the Sri Lanka Government delegation
is present at these talks. |
