Former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said the Tamil National Alliance needs to "shout once in a while" to keep their identity, when she was questioned about concerns raised by the TNA on the pace and direction of government efforts to address Tamil issues.
Speaking to The Hindu, Ms Kumaratunga, who is working closely with the new regime, stressed that in her view engagement between the government and the TNA has been "excellent".
“They [the TNA] have to shout once in a while to keep their identity but we have very good relations,” she said.
The former president said the government's effort to promote national unity in Sri Lanka will break down unless there is reconciliation.
“I think it is absolutely crucial,” said Ms Kumaratunga, who was recently appointed as the head of a special task force in reconciliation. She said the task force will be transformed into a permanent office on national unity and reconciliation.
“We have been very encouraged by the reaction we have had already [received] from the international community, including India which is offering us a lot of help to do all this work,” she said.
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