The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has welcomed concerns raised by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights over the lack of progress on accountability for alleged human rights abuses and other issues affecting Sri Lanka’s Tamil community.

In response to a statement made by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Awa Dabo at the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council, ITAK General Secretary M. A. Sumanthiran said the party welcomed the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' written update, particularly its reference to the lack of progress on accountability and several longstanding issues concerning the Tamil people.

These issues, he said, included the release of lands occupied by the military, enforced disappearances, the release of political prisoners and investigations into the Chemmani mass grave.

ITAK also noted the Deputy High Commissioner’s reference to the prolonged delay in holding Provincial Council elections.
While welcoming the government’s efforts to combat bribery and corruption and to address drug-related underworld activities, Sumanthiran said the party was “deeply disappointed” by what he described as the absence of meaningful action on issues affecting the Tamil people.

He said this was particularly concerning given that the government had been in office for almost two years.

Sumanthiran urged the present government to fulfil the commitments made during its election campaign, particularly its pledge to introduce a new constitution.

He said constitutional reform should address the “historic aspirations of the Tamil people.”