.jpg)
Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) MP Selvarajah Kajendran has leveled allegations against fellow Tamil politicians, claiming that they are deceiving the Tamil community by engaging in discussions about the 13th Amendment with President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
At a press conference held in Vavunia, Kajendran expressed his frustration over what he perceives as a betrayal of the people. He criticized the recent interactions between Tamil politicians and President Ranil Wickremesinghe. According to him, the general candidate selection process is nothing more than a planned drama. Civil organizations and party members who nominated general candidates have been supporting efforts to impose the 13th Amendment for the past 15 years.
Kajendran singled out Wigneswaran, Selvam Adhikalanathan, and Siddharth—as “handmaidens of India”. These individuals, he claimed, have previously written letters to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for the 13th Amendment as a solution. Kajendran believes that their actions are aimed at protecting India’s interests rather than genuinely serving the Tamil community.
The MP expressed outrage over the recent meeting between these Tamil politicians and President Wickremesinghe. He alleges that Selvam Adhikalanathan and Siddharthan received special funds during this encounter. Kajendran characterized their actions as treacherous, accusing them of compromising the Tamil cause for personal gain. He went on to tell reporters that former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran who has been nominated as the common candidate, has a chequered ‘controversial’history. He mentioned that Ariyanethiran had consistently supported his party’s stance on the 13A.
Kajendran criticized Ariyanethiran for aligning with those advocating for the amendment, emphasizing that it undermines the principles of self-determination. He also mentioned that Ariyanethiran has been a staunch supporter of Sumanthiran’s activities, particularly in 2012 when the Tamils made their representations in Geneva at the UN Human Rights Council .
Kajendran and his fellow party members were seen handing out pamphlets to Tamils in Jaffna, urging voters to consider the implications and boycott the elections.
Ariyanethiran, a former MP from Batticaloa, was last in parliament after the 2010 polls, having failed to get elected in 2015. In 2014, Ariyanethiran gave an interview to the Tamil Guardian, where he spoke of Sri Lanka’s attempt at “destroying the concept of a Tamil homeland”, and continued military intimidation and justice for the Tamil genocide.
Read more: Interview with TNA MP Ariyanenthiran
.jpg)
