The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) has announced its decision to support the Tamil common candidate, Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran as the Sri Lankan Elections draw near. The decision, the party stated is based upon the long-held aspirations of the Tamil people which has been largely ignored in every consecutive election in Sri Lanka.
"It is unfortunate but true that although an election is being held 15 years after the end of the armed conflict, Tamil people are yet to reap the benefits of a political movement and are yet to have their grievances addressed," it said. "We will provide this relief to the Tamil people domestically and through the international community - this election is an opportunity for us to achieve this mandate."
The party stated that the Tamil people needed a leadership that would build upon past gains at the United Nations Human Rights Council, including bringing individuals before the International Criminal Court and a referendum for the homeland. The party added that it is the opinion of the majority of the Tamil people to make a decision that would reflect a realistic opportunity for achieving the aspirations of the Tamil people. In a statement released by the party, it was stated that the party had been deliberating its decision for many weeks and had to take this decision based on a broad consensus of all party members. Their full statement can be found here.
In this video, the ITAK's decision to support the Tamil common candidate is announced, stating that it was made in the best interest of the Tamil people. In a recent interview with Tamil Guardian, Ariyanenthiran admits that while he does not expect to become the president of Sri Lanka, he “seeks to serve as a representative voice to both the international community and the southern part of Sri Lanka, highlighting the rights that should be granted to the Tamil people, who have suffered genocide on their land.” He called on the Tamil people to “vote for their liberation” in the upcoming elections and to avoid casting their votes for Sinhala politicians who have ignored Tamil demands for decades.
Meanwhile, in response to media reports that the ITAK has decided to support Sajith Premadasa, senior leader Mavai Senathirajah stated that the party has not made a formal decision to support Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming presidential election. He clarified that the recent announcement regarding ITAK's support for Premadasa was made solely by MP M.A. Sumanthiran and does not reflect an official party stance. He said that key party leaders were not present at this meeting when the decision was reached. He noted that party members, including MPs Shivagnanam Sritharan and Charles Nirmalanathan, as well as senior members like S. Yogeshwaran and G. Srinesan, were not at the meeting.
“Our party's central committee has taken a decision. We will discuss this in ongoing meetings about its implementation. We will discuss what the public should do in this election for the liberation of our people,” he said, speaking at a memorial for the late MP V Tharmalingam in Jaffna. “We must implement the decision taken by the central committee, but people should bear in mind that the election results will determine the future, especially when they are voting for the liberation of the Tamil people. We, all the Tamils, should unite and use this election for the liberation of our people. That liberation is very important for us. We should all work as one for that liberation.”
KV Thavarasa, head of the Colombo branch of the ITAK, a member of the Central Committee, and President's Counsel said he does not agree with the Central Committee's decision to support Sajith Premadasa. He made this statement when a reporter from Lankasri asked for his comments regarding ITAK's decision to support Premadasa at the central committee meeting of the party on Sunday. “When the discussion about the presidential candidate took place in the meeting, I expressed the view that it is not political politeness to directly oppose the common Tamil candidate without holding discussions. Apart from that, the decision we take should not affect the future politics of our party when members of the Tamil nation are also supporting the Tamil common candidate,” he said, adding that he left the meeting because he felt it was improper to discuss the issue without a consensus. He further stated that several senior members were not present at the meeting when this decision was made.
