Turmoil in the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) over who to support at the Sri Lankan presidential elections has threatened to tear the party apart, as senior figures continue to contradict themselves this week.
Current chairman Mavai Senathirajah told reporters that the party's “official” stance would be revealed this weekend, after the central committee of the party met last week and seemingly endorsed Sajith Premadasa for the upcoming polls.
"Regarding how Tamils should vote in this election, our party has always supported self-determination for the Tamil homeland,” said Senathirajah.
“Our policy is that the ethnic issue needs to be resolved. All of this is outlined in the manifesto of the common Tamil candidate. These matters have been discussed and agreed upon. Nevertheless, we will formally announce our stance on the 14th or 15th of this month.”
"We will have our discussions and come to a unanimous decision," he concluded.
Yet his remarks were directly contradicted by a press release shared by lawmaker Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, in which secretary general Dr. P. Sathiyalingam said the party had officially backed Sajith Premadasa.
In a press release ITAK secretary General Dr.P Sathiyalingam has reaffirmed that there is no change in the party’s decision to support Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming Presidential election. @sajithpremadasa @TNAmediaoffice @MASumanthiran pic.twitter.com/MMjmRYX9wF
— Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam (@ShanakiyanR) September 12, 2024
Meanwhile leader-elect of the ITAK S Shritharan continued to campaign for the common Tamil candidate Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran.
MP M A Sumanthiran took to Twitter to claim that both senior figures “have accepted that the future work should be discussed again with (only) Sajith Premadasa,” despite their remarks to the contrary.
“It is a decision taken by our party according to the proper method. Now both of them (Senathirajah and Shreetharan) have accepted that. Therefore, they have accepted that the future work should be discussed again with (only) Sajith Premadasa," he said. https://t.co/p0WricD4D4
— M A Sumanthiran (@MASumanthiran) September 12, 2024
The splits within the party have left its members in disarray, and the latest developments highlight the ongoing divisions, which have contributed to a steady decline in the party’s popularity.
Read more: ITAK plunges further into chaos as central committee backs Sajith Premadasa
