Tamil lawmakers have urged the United Kingdom to intensify pressure on Colombo, accusing the National People’s Power administration of abandoning key promises on justice, reconciliation and constitutional reform.
A delegation of Tamil parliamentarians, joined by former MP and lawyer M. A. Sumanthiran, recently met UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy in Colombo, raising serious concerns about what they describe as the Government’s failure to honour election pledges. The discussion focused on accountability, political rights, and the stalled resolution of the Tamil National Question.
Those present included Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, S. Shritharan, Selvam Adaikkalanathan and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam. The UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, later confirmed the engagement on X, reiterating Britain’s continued support for reconciliation, transitional justice and equality.
Tamil representatives used the opportunity to outline longstanding grievances, arguing that the NPP’s reform narrative has not translated into tangible progress for minority communities. Speaking after the meeting, Ponnambalam recalled that the NPP rose to power on an anti establishment platform, openly criticising past administrations for alleged discrimination against Tamils. He said the party pledged a new Constitution to address ethnic concerns, repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act without replacement, release private lands occupied by the military, free Tamil political prisoners, and halt Sinhalisation initiatives in the North and East.
According to him, those commitments remain unmet. He added that Tamil leaders who highlight these gaps are often branded as divisive or extremist. If the Government fears backlash from hardline Sinhala elements, he argued, it must confront those forces rather than retreat from reform. He urged the UK to intensify international accountability efforts, particularly regarding alleged violations of international humanitarian law, stating that credible justice would remove obstacles to a durable political settlement.
Ahead of Lammy’s visit, British MP Uma Kumaran echoed similar concerns, stressing that human rights, truth and accountability must anchor UK Sri Lanka engagement. She maintained that reconciliation requires justice for victims while also acknowledging ongoing UK support following Cyclone Ditwah’s impact.
The talks signal renewed diplomatic attention on Sri Lanka’s human rights record and constitutional reform debate, with Tamil parties seeking stronger international guarantees to secure equality and lasting political stability.
