Chennai, Jan 11 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has addressed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling on the Union government to implement high-level diplomatic measures to safeguard the welfare, political rights, and constitutional aspirations of Sri Lankan Tamils amidst proposed constitutional changes in Sri Lanka.

In his comprehensive letter, Stalin highlighted the serious and sensitive nature of the issue affecting the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

He reiterated that Tamil Nadu has consistently championed the rights and aspirations of Sri Lankan Tamils, driven by strong historical, cultural, and emotional connections.

As Chief Minister, it is his responsibility to voice the significant concerns expressed by esteemed Tamil leaders from both India and Sri Lanka regarding the trajectory of the proposed new Constitution in Sri Lanka.

Stalin noted that he had received numerous representations warning that the current constitutional reform process in Sri Lanka could lead to severe ramifications for the Tamil community.

He pointed out that for over 77 years, Sri Lankan Tamils have faced systematic discrimination, violence, and continuous attempts to undermine their rightful claims—conditions many observers describe as genocidal oppression.

The Chief Minister emphasized that all constitutions post-independence in Sri Lanka (1947, 1972, and 1978) have been entrenched in a rigid unitary state structure.

This framework has institutionalized ethnic domination, permitted structural repression, and denied Tamils their fundamental rights. He expressed alarm that, even after the civil war's conclusion, the last 16 years have seen demographic shifts, land seizures, and the diminishing of Tamil identity in traditionally Tamil areas.

In light of the current political landscape, Stalin remarked that the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, which holds a simple majority in Parliament, seems to be rapidly advancing plans for a new constitution.

He cautioned that the proposed framework appears to further entrench a unitary “one-nation” model, disregarding the legitimate desires of Tamils for political autonomy and marginalizing them further.

Stalin recalled the principles expressed by Tamil representatives during the 1985 Thimphu talks facilitated by India, which included the acknowledgment of Tamil nationality, recognition of the Northern and Eastern Provinces as traditional Tamil homelands, the right to self-determination, full citizenship rights for Hill Country Tamils, and the establishment of a federal system that guarantees equality and non-discrimination for all citizens.

He warned that any constitution excluding these fundamental principles would only perpetuate injustice, instability, and the potential for renewed conflict and humanitarian crises.

Highlighting India's historical involvement, including the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, Stalin asserted that New Delhi has a long-standing moral obligation to advocate for peace and justice in Sri Lanka.

He added that the situation of Sri Lankan Tamils resonates deeply in Tamil Nadu, where millions regard them as family, warning that any deterioration in their circumstances could adversely affect bilateral relations and regional stability.

In this context, the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to engage with Sri Lankan authorities at the highest diplomatic level to ensure a genuine constitutional process that effectively addresses Tamil grievances.

He specifically urged India to advocate for a federal structure that delegates powers to provinces, protects ethnic minorities, and upholds the principles of diversity and equality.

Such an approach, according to Stalin, would not only reaffirm India’s role as a guarantor of regional peace but also align with India’s own constitutional values of federalism and safeguarding linguistic and ethnic minorities.

Expressing faith in PM Modi's leadership, Stalin conveyed his strong belief that India will take the initiative in protecting the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils and contribute to establishing a just, durable, and lasting solution.