The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is seeking the support of the SLMC and the CWC to resist what Tamil Congress leader Appathurai Vinayagamoorthy yesterday called "hurried efforts to work out electoral reforms to sideline minority parties".

Speaking from his party’s Jaffna headquarters yesterday, Vinayagamoorthy accused the UNP and the PA of colluding in this effort and said that the TNA has already had initial consultations with SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem and CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman on Wednesday.

"They are trying to work out a system where the UNP and the SLFP, the major Sinhala parties, can obtain a clear majority without minority support," Vinayagamoorthy alleged.

"We don’t know why they are in such a hurry to bring this amendment. Why can’t they wait until a solution to the Tamil problem is worked out?"

He said that comprehensive constitutional changes should be introduced after discussions between the government and the LTTE without making piecemeal changes.

"What we need is a single package," he said, pointing out that major constitutional amendments require the people’s consent at a referendum.

"So why don’t we wait until a clear solution to the ethnic problem is found?", he asked.

He said that the minority parties will meet the prime minister on this matter once they work out a common stand. (FRS)