ITAK in disarray as senior leaders continue to divide party

Chaos and confusion over who the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) will be backing at the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential polls has continued this week, as senior leaders continued to contradict themselves.

Leader-elect of the ITAK Sivagnanam Shritharan told reporters that he did not support the decision of the central committee to back Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming polls.

Addressing the media in Vavuniya, he expressed his opposition to the move stating that he had submitted a written letter to voice his concerns. "I informed them that I was leaving for the UK and, upon my return, would be ready to participate in discussions to deliberate on the matter. However, the decision was made before I could get back," he said. He added that the party's General Secretary, Dr. P. Sathiyalingam, had assured him that no final decision would be made until his return.

He further criticized the decision to support Premadasa, claiming it was rushed and made with only a small number of central committee members present. He reiterated that he had communicated his opposition to the party in writing, labelling the decision as flawed.

"As far as I am concerned, we should support a common candidate who can unite the Tamil community, protect their rights, and represent their aspirations," he told reporters.

The current chairman of the ITAK, Mavai Senathirajah, last week met with incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that he would triumph at the polls. Senathirajah then addressed a Vavuniya press conference which seemingly supported the central committee decision, before appearing on stage at a campaign rally in Kilinochchi for the common Tamil candidate Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran.

Meanwhile, M A Sumanthiran took to X (formerly Twitter) to further emphasise the decision to support Premadasa.

இலங்கைத் தமிழ் அரசுக் கட்சியின் மத்திய செயற்குழு நியமித்த உப குழு கட்சியின் தீர்மானத்தின்படி திரு. சஜித் பிரேமதாசவிற்கு ஆதரவளிப்பதன் காரணங்களையும் கூறி, அவருக்கு வாக்களிக்கும்படியாக கோரி விடுத்த அறிக்கை. இதை ஐந்து பேர் சேர்ந்திருந்து தலைவர் திரு. மாவை சேனாதிராசா வெளியிட்டார். pic.twitter.com/gMQsLuhe9E

— M A Sumanthiran (@MASumanthiran) September 16, 2024

"A statement was issued by a five-member subcommittee appointed by the Central Working Committee of the ITAK, explaining the reasons for the party’s support of Sajith Premadasa and urging the people to vote for Sajith on 21st September 2024," he wrote, sharing the letter.

The letter outlined the party’s rationale, highlighting that the decision was made with the self-determination of Tamils in mind. It further stated, "Tamil political leaders have long been advocating for complete autonomy through a federal system as a solution to the ethnic issue."

Fellow parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam also featured in an official Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) advert campaigning for Premadasa.

Three Reasons Why You Should Vote for Sajith by @ShanakiyanR#SajithForPresident⁩ #SajithPremadasa #SriLanka #SJB #TeamSajith pic.twitter.com/enxSzTHFb3

— Samagi Jana Balawegaya (@sjbsrilanka) September 15, 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