Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has urged the Union government to take high-level diplomatic steps to protect the rights and aspirations of Sri Lankan Tamils amid proposed constitutional reforms.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to the Prime Minister, highlighting concerns over proposed constitutional reforms in Sri Lanka that could impact the political and constitutional rights of Sri Lankan Tamils. Emphasising historical, cultural, and emotional ties, he noted that Tamil Nadu has consistently advocated for the welfare and protection of the Tamil community across the border.
The Chief Minister warned that previous constitutions in Sri Lanka institutionalised ethnic domination and denied Tamils fundamental rights. Despite the civil war ending over a decade ago, demographic shifts, land appropriation, and erosion of Tamil identity continue to threaten the community. The proposed constitutional reforms risk further consolidating a unitary state structure while ignoring Tamil aspirations for autonomy.
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Referencing earlier agreements and international frameworks, the Chief Minister stressed the need for recognition of Tamil nationality, full citizenship rights for Hill Country Tamils, and a federal system that ensures equality, diversity, and protection of ethnic minorities. He urged the Prime Minister to engage Sri Lankan authorities diplomatically to secure a constitutional process that addresses Tamil grievances meaningfully.
The letter underlined India’s moral responsibility to support peace and justice in Sri Lanka, noting that safeguarding Tamil rights aligns with India’s federal principles and helps maintain regional stability. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that India will lead efforts to protect the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils and foster a just and lasting solution.
The Chief Minister’s communication to the Prime Minister focuses on the potential risks posed by Sri Lanka’s proposed constitutional reforms. Highlighting decades of discrimination against Tamils, he warned that a unitary “one-nation” framework could exacerbate injustices and potentially trigger renewed conflict.
He recalled the 1985 Thimphu talks and the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, which emphasised recognition of Tamil nationality, the Northern and Eastern Provinces as the Tamil homeland, and federal governance ensuring equality and non-discrimination. The Chief Minister stressed that excluding these principles could worsen humanitarian conditions and destabilise bilateral relations.
Urging high-level diplomatic engagement, the communication recommends advocating a federal structure in Sri Lanka that devolves power to provinces and protects ethnic minorities. It noted that Tamil Nadu’s close historical, cultural, and emotional connection with Sri Lankan Tamils makes India’s involvement both a moral and strategic imperative.
The letter reflects a broader concern for regional stability, human rights, and the preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity, emphasising that India’s active role could help secure a durable, peaceful, and equitable solution for the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
Published: 11 Jan 2026, 08:07 pm IST
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