WASHINGTON, D.C., March 30, 2026 —
The US Tamil Diaspora today issued a strong response to remarks by Shivshankar Menon in a recent interview with the Daily Mirror Sri Lanka, stating that the Tamil issue cannot be characterized as an internal matter and must be addressed within the framework of international law.
The Diaspora emphasized that the Tamil question is fundamentally linked to the right to self-determination under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514. It noted that when a population’s political status and rights are in question, and when international actors have historically been involved, the issue transcends domestic jurisdiction.
The statement further underscored that India’s own historical role in Sri Lanka—including political, military, and strategic involvement during different phases of the conflict—demonstrates that the Tamil issue has never been purely internal. This includes periods of direct engagement and intervention that shaped the trajectory of the conflict.
“In light of this history, it is inconsistent to now frame the Tamil question as solely an internal matter,” the statement said. “International legal principles, including the Decolonization Principle, remain applicable and cannot be set aside.”
The Diaspora also pointed to Mauritius as a relevant precedent, noting that decolonization questions have been revisited decades after independence through international legal processes. This demonstrates that decolonization remains an ongoing legal responsibility rather than a closed historical chapter.
The statement further stressed that security considerations cannot override legal rights or substitute for accountability. It highlighted that despite investigations and legal proceedings, meaningful accountability has not been achieved, and unresolved issues cannot be presented as closure.
The US Tamil Diaspora called on India and the international community to align policy with international legal obligations, recognize that the Tamil issue engages international legal principles, support credible accountability mechanisms, and uphold the right to self-determination.
Decolonization is not history—it is law. Tamil rights to self-determination cannot be ignored or postponed.
US Tamil Diaspora
Daily Mirror interview – Shivshankar Menon: https://www.dailymirror.lk/hard-talk/India-Sri-Lankas-security-inseparable-Shivshankar-Menon/334-333338
Thank you,
Tamil Diaspora News,
March 30, 2026