The Struggle For The Political Rights Of The Tamil Nation Has Now Entered An Entirely New Chapter

May 28, 2012 

By R.Sampanthan -

R. Sampanthan

TNA leader R.Sampanthan’s speech at the 14^th Annual ITAK convention ( May 2012) – English translation

My greetings to all respected delegates of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi

I sincerely welcome you all – the life and vitality of our party – to our National Convention here in Batticaloa.

As those in service to the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi, which has become the political symbol of the Tamil Nation, with its own political culture and ideals, we are proud to gather here for its 14^th National Convention in the year 2012.

We are gathered here in hope and expectation, in circumstances never before experienced since Sri Lanka is said to have gained independence, 60 years ago.

We are gathered here as the single most recognized political organization both here and abroad, which embodies the political aspirations of the Tamil people.

We remember upto hundred thousand of our people who have been killed, merely for demanding the fundamental rights that belonged to them, and for the legitimate rights of self determination and governance.

We remember the Tamil youth who sacrificed their lives in armed struggle, which they resorted to on the failure of their peaceful struggle for the political rights and freedoms of their people. We gather here following our victory in the passage of the recent Resolution at the UN Human Rights Council, a condemnation against the Sri Lankan government by the international community, which has recognized that the Sri Lankan government has committed the crime of extermination against our people, and that it continues to deny them their political rights.

Respected delegates,    Read More