News and Views on Tibet

Special prayer service for Sangay’s two year in office, commitment to dialogue reiterated

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DHARAMSHALA, August 8: The Central Tibetan Administration today held a special prayer service at the Tsuglakhang temple marking two years since Dr. Lobsang Sangay was sworn in on August 8, 2011 as the de-facto prime minister of Tibet (known as Kalon Tripa until September 20, 2012 when the Tibetan parliament resolved to change the title to Sikyong).

Speaking on the occasion Sikyong Sangay reiterated his government’s commitment to resolve the Tibet issue through dialogue with China.

Sangay said his government wishes to express solidarity with all those Tibetans who have self-immolated for the cause of Tibet, and their family members.

The “successful” democratic transition following the Dalai Lama’s decision to devolve political authority to a democratically-elected leader has sent a clear message to the Chinese government that Tibetans in exile will keep the Tibet movement going, said Sangay.

Presided over by Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, Kirti Rinpoche and Abbot of Namgyal monastery, the prayer service was attended among others by Sangay’s cabinet colleagues, CTA officials and local Tibetans.

Sangay said although the 14th Kashag has not made any major strides but with the support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetans his Kashag has “maintained stability” in these two years.

Sangay also appealed the Tibetans inside Tibet to refrain from such drastic action of protest as self-immolation.

He further noted that the self-immolations represent “a new threshold of Tibetan despair and resentment” and that the current crisis in Tibet is caused by China’s policies of “political and religious repression, economic marginalisation, social discrimination, cultural assimilation and environmental destruction in Tibet.”

The collective effort of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the people and civil servants of the Central Tibetan Administration has deepened the international community’s conviction in our commitment to democracy, he added.

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