Swiss ambassador tells Sumanthiran: ready to discuss federal system

01-Nov-2025

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The Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Siri Wold, informed Tamil National Alliance (TNA) General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran that representatives of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) who participated in a recent seminar in Switzerland had expressed willingness to discuss introducing a federal system in Sri Lanka with Tamil parties.

The seminar, organized jointly by the Swiss Government and the Sri Lanka–Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Association, was held from September 14 to 21, focusing on Switzerland’s federal system and strengthening national unity.

Participants included ministers, deputy ministers, MPs, and representatives from major political parties such as NPP, SJB, ITAK, ACTC, UNP, and others.

During the seminar, NPP General Secretary Nihal Abeysinghe reportedly stated that the draft constitution prepared between 2015 and 2019 would be reintroduced and that political party proposals for amendments were being reviewed.

In light of this, Ambassador Wold met with M.A. Sumanthiran on October 29 at the Swiss Embassy in Colombo to discuss the seminar in detail. She conveyed that NPP representatives had indicated readiness to engage in talks with Tamil parties regarding a federal model.

Sumanthiran replied that he had requested time from the President to discuss a political solution but had yet to receive a response. However, he expressed his willingness to hold discussions with NPP representatives who attended the Swiss seminar.