Wed Nov 19 16:08:33 UTC 2025: Summary:

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) to discuss a political solution to the country’s national question. Dissanayake promised to initiate talks on a new Constitution in January and hold long-delayed Provincial Council elections, though without specifying a timeline. The ITAK emphasized the need for a resolution to the Tamil issue for the country’s progress. Concerns were raised about delays in addressing Tamil aspirations and recent tensions over land disputes and religious symbols.

News Article:

Sri Lankan President Promises New Constitution Talks, Provincial Elections Amid Tamil Concerns

Colombo, November 19, 2025 – Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged to initiate talks on a new Constitution in January and proceed with long-delayed Provincial Council elections during a meeting with the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), a prominent Tamil political party. The meeting, the first between the ITAK and President Dissanayake since he took office, centered on finding a lasting political solution to Sri Lanka’s long-standing national question.

“Unless this issue is resolved, the country cannot move forward,” stated ITAK general secretary M.A. Sumanthiran following the meeting.

President Dissanayake emphasized the need for a “new political framework” to address the issues faced by the Northern and Eastern Provinces, indicating that “outdated political solutions” are insufficient. The ITAK had previously written to the President expressing concerns over the lack of progress in addressing Tamil aspirations.

While funds have been allocated for Provincial Council elections, concerns remain about potential delays due to disagreements over electoral system reforms. The terms for Sri Lanka’s nine Provincial Councils expired between 2017 and 2019.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions in the eastern Trincomalee district following a dispute over an allegedly unauthorized Buddha statue. The ITAK expressed support for the President’s call to prevent “racists from stoking tensions,” but stressed the need for substantive government action to protect the rights of the Tamil people.

Despite the positive atmosphere, ITAK representatives noted that President Dissanayake “did not commit to quick action on the Constitution or Provincial polls.” The political stability of the country and the implementation of the proposed new Constitution relies heavily on finding agreement in Sri Lankan Parliament.

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