The primary and most important demands of the Eelam Leaders' Group..!
Demand #1: Not Mere Amendment, Federalism is the Solution!
The primary and most crucial demand of the Eelam leaders' delegation pertains to Sri Lanka’s constitutional structure. Their firm position is that the upcoming new constitution in Sri Lanka must completely abolish the existing Unitary System and establish a Federal System.
Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam clarified that for the past 16 years, this unitary system has been used as a tool to dismantle the Tamil homeland. Planned Sinhalese settlements, the destruction of cultural identity, the demolition of ancient Saivite temples to build Buddhist Viharas, and the crushing of the local economy were all made possible through the power provided by this unitary structure. He noted that even 38 years after the Indo-Lanka Accord, the 13th Amendment—brought within the unitary framework—has failed to grant any real power to Tamils, serving as evidence of this failure.
The core of their argument is this:
"According to the Indo-Lanka Accord, the Sri Lankan constitution must be moved away from a unitary system and restructured into a federal system. Only if it is restructured in such a manner will the powers intended for Tamils under the Indo-Lanka Accord actually reach them."
Therefore, they have requested the Chief Minister to ensure that the Indian Central Government intervenes to guarantee that Sri Lanka’s new constitution is drafted on federal principles, and they urged the Tamil Nadu government to apply necessary pressure toward this goal.
Demand #2: Not a Fishermen’s Issue, but a 'Divide and Rule' Tactic!
The conflict between Tamil Nadu and Eelam Tamil fishermen is not viewed merely as a livelihood issue; rather, it is seen as a "divide and rule" tactic employed by the Sri Lankan government.
The delegation argues that the Sri Lankan government seeks political gain by creating a rift between the two Tamil communities, who have historically shared a strong "umbilical cord relationship." This issue has recently intensified. A dangerous development occurred during a protest by Eelam Tamil fishermen against the Indian Consulate in Jaffna, where agents of the currently ruling National People’s Power (NPP) government allegedly infiltrated the demonstration.
During that protest, a comment made by a government agent highlighted the conspiracy behind it. He openly stated that the Indian Consulate in Jaffna should be "demolished" and replaced with Chinese and American embassies. This signals a grave danger where foreign powers could exploit the friction between the two Tamil communities for their own benefit.
As a solution, the delegation requested the Tamil Nadu government to organize an emergency dialogue, with the participation of the Indian Central Government, inviting the affected fishing communities from both sides.
Demand #3: Renewing the Bond – A Turning Point!
The reason this meeting was organized with such "urgency" is that the newly elected government in Sri Lanka, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s National People’s Power, is attempting to impose a new law that is reportedly far worse for Tamils than the current constitution. In this critical situation, strengthening the bond between Tamil Nadu and Eelam Tamils has become a necessity of the times.
The perceived silence of Tamil Nadu leaders had left Eelam Tamils feeling isolated and highly vulnerable. This meeting is seen as a significant move to bridge that gap and renew the relationship. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam described the importance of this meeting in a powerful word:
"Regarding the facilitation of this meeting, we view this as a turning point."
The pivotal role played by Thol. Thirumavalavan, leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), in organizing this "turning point" meeting has provided hope for the resurgence of political unity between Tamils across both territories.