The US has declared its support for the ongoing Global Tamil Forum (GTF) initiative to pursue a fresh dialogue with the government and other political parties meant to reach a post-war consensus on a lasting reconciliation.
After having met the GTF delegation, led by its UK-based spokesperson Suren Surendiran and representatives of the Sangha for a Better Sri Lanka at the American Embassy on Dec 12, US Ambassador Julie Chung lauded their effort. She declared that the US welcomed their laudable initiative to expand cross-community understanding and seek lasting reconciliation.
TNPF MP Ganjendrakumar Ponnambalam and former TNA MP Suresh Premachandran have declared their opposition to the initiative, while top TNA spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran, PC, has told Virakesari that his party was not linked with the Himalaya Declaration.
The Himalaya Declaration, presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and members of the Maha Sangha during the recently concluded GTF’s visit here, dealt with several issues. The Himalaya Declaration was finalized in Nepal following discussions in April 2023 between the Maha Sangha from all chapters, and members of the Tamil diaspora from various countries (SF)