Former parliamentarian and spokesperson for the Democratic Tamil National Alliance, Suresh Premachandran, has called on newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to extend his support towards building a “prosperous Eelam” alongside a prosperous Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to the media following a discussion among key members of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance in Vavuniya on Sunday (May 10), Suresh Premachandran conveyed the congratulations of Eelam Tamils to Vijay on assuming office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
“We believe he will work hard for the advancement of Tamil Nadu. He has been one of the voices that consistently spoke up for Eelam Tamils,” Premachandran said.
He noted that Tamil Nadu had emerged as one of the most developed states in India and stressed that its continued progress would create opportunities for Eelam Tamils as well.
“If both sides work together with a full understanding of the problems faced by Eelam Tamils, there will certainly be opportunities for the voice of Tamils to resonate strongly across the world,” he said.
Premachandran further stated that despite being a newcomer to governance, Vijay had already drawn public attention and support.
“Not only should he help build a prosperous Tamil Nadu, but he must also cooperate in building a prosperous Eelam,” he added.
Commenting on the long-standing dispute surrounding Katchatheevu, Premachandran said the issue needed to be addressed through discussions between New Delhi and Colombo.
He observed that demands for Katchatheevu to belong to Tamil Nadu had persisted for many years, largely due to the ongoing fishermen’s disputes between Sri Lanka and India.
“If the fishermen’s issues are resolved, the Katchatheevu issue itself may gradually disappear,” he said, adding that experts on both sides were capable of finding solutions and that firm negotiations should begin.
Premachandran said the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was expected to engage with the Indian central government and take meaningful steps regarding these concerns.
He also addressed ongoing discussions among Tamil political parties concerning proposals for a new Sri Lankan constitution. According to Premachandran, the Tamil Lawyers’ Forum had brought together Tamil parties to formulate a common Tamil position on resolving the Tamil national question.
He criticised the Tamil National People’s Front for declining to participate in the discussions, after reportedly stating that they could not attend meetings involving parties not represented in Parliament.
Suresh Premachandran rejected that reasoning, noting that such parties still held representation in local government bodies and continued to function politically.
“This is not a party political matter. It concerns reaching a solution to the Tamil national ethnic issue. Therefore, the Tamil side must present a united position,” he said.
He further stated that members of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance included individuals who had struggled for Tamil Eelam and reiterated the alliance’s position that a maximum federal arrangement would be the most viable solution to the Tamil national question.
“If the country is to progress economically, maintain peace, and attract investments, these issues must be resolved,” he said.
Premachandran added that the Sri Lankan government should accept this reality and move towards a constitutional solution based on a federal political structure.