| AFTA welcomes the shift in approach of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam |
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AFTA also welcomes the appointment of an eminent Tamil lawyer residing in the US, Mr. Visvanathan Rudrakumar to lead a select committee to create a Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (PTGTE), a governing body to be elected from the global Tamil Diaspora through a democratic process. This elected body is expected to look after the political, cultural and social welfare of the Tamils living in various nations around the globe and those living in Sri Lanka. AFTA appreciates and would like to thank all the academics and other experts from the international community who have come forward to offer valuable advice to this committee. AFTA is of the view that this fundamental change in LTTE’s position has arisen as a result of their decision to silence their guns to avoid a major blood bath of innocent Tamil people in the final days of the war and also in response to the repeated calls made to them by several world leaders including the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Stephen Smith to pursue their goals through democratic means. AFTA would like to appeal to the Australian and New Zealand governments to welcome these developments and take positive steps to engage with the LTTE in a constructive manner. AFTA also urges the media to encourage the LTTE, by engaging with the key people who are spearheading their new democratic path. Media Enquiries: Sydney: Dr. Victor Rajakulendran 0402 484 209 Melbourne: Mr. Siva Sivakumar 0404 894 591 Canberra: Dr. Raga Ragavan 0402 387 920 Auckland: Dr. Siva Vasanthan 021 023 51 007 Wellington: Mr. Mani Maniparathy 027 448 0340 |
The Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations (AFTA), the peak body representing the Tamil Diaspora in Australia and New Zealand, welcomes the decision of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to pursue political and diplomatic means to achieve the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.| < Previous | Next > |
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