Tamil-Speaking Parties Reach Consensus to Meet Indian Foreign Secretary, Says Rauff Hakeem
03-Aug-2026.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader and Kandy District MP Rauff Hakeem has announced that the six Tamil-speaking political parties that recently formed a joint platform have agreed to meet the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary. He also said there are plans to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and other political leaders in the near future.
Speaking to Indian media after arriving at Tiruchirappalli International Airport, Hakeem said the alliance recently decided to function as a common forum for Tamil-speaking political parties.
He stated that the alliance had held discussions on July 30 and decided to jointly meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday to discuss key issues affecting their respective communities. They also intend to seek a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition on the same day.
Hakeem said the alliance has reached consensus on meeting the Indian Foreign Secretary during his forthcoming visit to Sri Lanka. Plans are also underway to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and other political leaders at the earliest opportunity.
Responding to questions from journalists, Hakeem described the dispute involving Tamil Nadu and Northern Sri Lankan fishermen as a longstanding livelihood issue rather than merely a diplomatic or legal dispute between two countries. He stressed that it should be approached from a humanitarian perspective to achieve an amicable settlement acceptable to both fishing communities.
He said the Tamil Nadu Government, with the support of the Central Government of India, together with Sri Lanka's Fisheries Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should work towards a permanent solution.
Hakeem also emphasised that India has consistently extended generous assistance to Sri Lanka and expressed hope that similar support provided to Indian-origin Tamil communities, particularly through housing schemes, would also be extended to other Tamil-speaking regions facing severe economic hardship.
He added that discussions with Indian officials would also cover the long-delayed Provincial Council elections under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Commenting on Sri Lanka's economy, Hakeem observed that although there has been noticeable progress, the unexpected conflict in the Middle East, rising global crude oil prices and increasing shipping costs have adversely affected both exports and imports, posing fresh challenges as the country attempts to recover from its economic crisis.
On the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils detained in special camps in Tiruchirappalli, Hakeem said the matter had not yet been discussed in depth within his party. However, if formal representations are received, efforts could be made through diplomatic channels, while recognising that political parties should exercise caution in intervening in another country's legal processes.
Regarding land occupied during the civil war, he said the matter would be raised with President Dissanayake during their forthcoming meeting, reiterating the demand that privately owned lands still under military occupation in Tamil-speaking areas be released without further delay.
