Sri Lanka’s Tamil parties seek India’s continued role in ensuring political solution 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sri Lankan Tamil politicians representing people of the north and east in Colombo on Saturday. Photo: Special Arrangement

The historic Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987 remains the only instrument to achieve a political solution for the Tamils of the island, and India’s “legitimate involvement” will be important to reach this goal, Sri Lanka’s Tamil parties told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (April 5, 2025).

Watch: Late Tamil Leader R. Sampanthan on the significance of the Indo-Lanka Accord

Mr. Modi, who is in the island nation on a State visit, held talks with different groups of Opposition politicians on Saturday afternoon.

He met with a delegation of leaders and representatives from Tamil parties of the north and east, including the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), All Ceylon Tamil Congress, People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam, and the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation. They discussed the pending political solution and other concerns of Tamils, including an ongoing land grab by state agencie, amid a growing perception that India’s interest in the Tamil question may be waning in the wake of growing geopolitical challenges.

Meaningful devolution needed

“We told the Prime Minister that the Tamil question is yet to be resolved and that it has been acknowledged that the 13^th Amendment [a constitutional amendment ensuring a measure of power devolution] does not meet the ideals of the Accord. As a friendly, close neighbour, we urged India to encourage the Sri Lankan government to take steps towards meaningful devolution,” ITAK general secretary M.A. Sumanthiran told The Hindu. “We told him that our party was called the Federal Party and has pushed for a federal structure in governance.”

The delegation also sought India’s intervention in ensuring the conduct of the Provincial Council elections, as “part of the process of achieving meaningful power devolution”. In his address earlier on Saturday, Mr. Modi said he had discussed reconstruction and reconciliation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. “He appraised me of his inclusive approach. We hope that the Sri Lankan government will meet the aspirations of the Tamil people and fulfil its commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and conducting Provincial Council elections,” Mr. Modi said.

Hill country concerns

Mr. Modi also met leaders representing the Malaiyaha [hill country] Tamil community. Tamil Progressive Alliance leader Mano Ganesan said the delegation raised key issues facing the hill country community. “However, we told PM Modi that we will not burden him with our political demands, and instead sought India’s support on socio-economic issues based on a principle of affirmative action,” he told The Hindu following the meeting.

Delegation members sought India’s help, especially in the fields of education and skills training, and support in simplifying the paperwork for members of the community to obtain Overseas Citizenship of India status.

“We also requested India to expand the scope of the Ceylon Estate Workers’ Education Trust, so support to the estate sector could be routed through the Trust [set up by the Indian government],” Mr. Ganesan said.

Mr. Modi also met with Sri Lankan Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Following the meeting, Mr. Premadasa posted on X: “Sri Lanka and India have the chance to shape a future of Shared Ascent, where growth is not just measured in trade, but in the wellbeing of our people. Grateful for India’s unwavering support during Sri Lanka’s most difficult times.”