Tamil diaspora should allow enough time to create Unity, reconciliation: Maithripala Sirisena

COLOMBO: New Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the Tamil diaspora should allow sufficient time for his government to create "unity and reconciliation" among the people.

"As a government we understand the need to act in a manner that will bring about unity and reconciliation among our people, and as a government recently elected there is a need for necessary time to achieve this," Sirisena said addressing Colombo-based foreign envoys here yesterday.

Sirisena said that it was the responsibility of his government to ensure a background for all communities to live in strong brotherhood.

He received overwhelming electoral support from Tamil and Muslim minorities against his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the favourite of the Sinhala Buddhist majority.

Sirisena outlined steps taken by him since his January 8 poll victory to ease tensions with the Tamil minority such as the release of private lands held by the military.

His comments came at a time when the pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora has expressed dissatisfaction over the slowness of delivery in matters of reconciliation.

The main TNA Tamil party, that controls the northern provincial council early this week adopted a resolution calling for an international investigation on alleged genocide of Tamils during the 30-year civil war.

The Tamil nationalist lobby is also unhappy with Sirisena's government for its insistence on a domestic war crimes inquiry in preference to the UN-mandated international probe.

Sirisena wants international governments to recognise the positive changes brought about since he became president.

The Rajapaksa government had faced international criticism for its hard line on issues of reconciliation with the minorities.