By P Sivaramakrishnan BBC Tamil service

	TNA has emerged as the third force in the new parliament

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has so far secured 12 seats in the new parliament and its tally is expected to go up by a couple of seats.

A re-elected TNA MP from Jaffna, Suresh Premachandran, told the BBC Tamil Service that it is open for discussion with Mahinda Rajapaksa administration.

However sounding a word of caution he said that they do not have any idea at present as to what type of constitutional changes are likely to be brought forward.

Constitutional changes

Analysts say that the support of the TNA could be crucial to the government in order to ensure a two thirds majority in parliament for any constitutional changes.

If those changes are made with a view to finding out a lasting political solution to the ethnic issue then the TNA will consider it in a positive way Suresh Premachandran, TNA MP

“If those changes are made with a view to finding out a lasting political solution to the ethnic issue then the TNA will consider it in a positive way," the re-elected MP said.

He added that the TNA is even prepared to speak to the government within a “united Sri Lanka” framework.

The TNA will reciprocate with an open mind if the government comes forward with a similar stand on finding a political solution to the years long pending ethnic issue, Suresh Premachandran told the BBC.

He also said that the TNA will not only discuss with representatives of minority communities in parliament but also discuss with other Tamil parties on the issue of political solution.

As the TNA has already put forward their proposals in their election manifesto, in the event of the president inviting them for talks they were prepared to participate in it, he further said.

Alternately if the president has a new set of proposals, the TNA says it would study it and let know their views.

While the President is firm on a unitary framework solution the TNA manifesto insists on a Federal frame work solution.