Tamil-Muslim Unity Will Enable Us to Govern Ourselves: Sumanthiran

19-Sep-2025

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If the Tamil or Muslim communities are to live with dignity and self-respect in Sri Lanka’s future, we must work together. Such unity should not erase our distinct identities but should rather strengthen them, said M.A. Sumanthiran, President’s Counsel and General Secretary of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

He made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 25th commemoration of SLMC founder-leader M.H.M. Ashraff, held under the theme “The Solitary Tree of the Grove” at Al-Ashraq National School, Nindavur, on September 16.

Sumanthiran recalled that he had also delivered the 20th memorial lecture in 2020 at Sammanthurai and expressed gratitude to Rauff Hakeem and SLMC Secretary Nizam Kariapper for inviting him again.

Speaking further, he observed that mutual suspicions and tensions continue between the Tamil and Muslim communities, making such an invitation after five years particularly meaningful. He stressed that cooperation between Tamils and Muslims is more urgent than ever, given demographic realities, and highlighted that political unity must respect and preserve distinct identities.

He also reminded that the ITAK constitution from its inception called for a federal structure with separate autonomous units for Tamils and Muslims. Recalling the 1971 Constituent Assembly debates, he pointed out that ITAK had proposed five federal units, including one for the North and East and another for the Southeast.

Reflecting on Ashraff’s political legacy, Sumanthiran noted that Ashraff taught valuable lessons about negotiating with the majority community—lessons Tamils should heed. He concluded by emphasizing that Tamil-Muslim unity, built on mutual respect, is the only way to secure dignity, survival, and ultimately self-governance for both communities within Sri Lanka.