First Tamil in 32 years to lead Sri Lanka opposition

Sep 3

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A Tamil lawmaker became leader of the opposition in Sri Lanka’s parliament for the first time in 32 years on Thursday, in the latest sign of progress towards ethnic reconciliation on the once bitterly divided island.

Rajavarothiam Sampanthan is the first lawmaker from the ethnic minority to lead the opposition since 1983, when Tamil legislators resigned en masse to protest against a statute that compelled them to denounce separatism.

The 82-year-old moderate heads the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which emerged from last month’s election as the third-largest force with 16 seats in the 225-member assembly.

“We shall be loyal to this country and the people of this country,” Sampanthan told the House on Thursday.

“Our primary duty is to ensure that there is an acceptable resolution to the Tamil question.”

AFP

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Posted on September 3, 2015, in Sri Lanka. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.

  1. lankapage | September 3, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    We must give our democracy a chance to work. Let’s give democracy the opportunity to weave its way into the fabrics of our society and contribute to a vibrant Sri Lanka!!

    Like

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