Jayalalithaa recognises Eelam Tamils Right to Self-Determination
TamilNet, Thursday, 09 October 2008, 18:33 GMT
Ms. Jayalalithaa, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of the state's major opposition party, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), said in a press release, clarifying AIDMK stand Thursday that her party fully recognized Eelam Tamils right to Self-Determination. She also said that her party accepted the demand for Tamil homeland with self-governance within a united framework of a Sri Lankan constitution.
Ms. Jayalalithaa has sought to clarify her stand and the stand of her party and specified AIDMK's policy on Eelam Tamils in four points:
Not Secondary Citizens: Eelam Tamils have equal rights as all other citizens of Sri Lanka. They are not secondary to anybody.
Equal Rights: We completely support the prolonged struggle of the Sri Lankan Tamils seeking equality before law and equal opportunities in education and employment.
Right to Self-Determination: We totally recognize their righteous struggle seeking the Right of Self-Determination.
Self-Governance within United Sri Lanka: We understand and accept the demand of the Tamils that they shall create a Tamil Homeland where they have the power of self-governance, under the framework of a Sri Lankan Constitution.