Justice C V Wigneswaran, a Member of Parliament from the Jaffna District, expressed his support for the common Tamil candidate Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran at the upcoming presidential polls, urging Eelam Tamils across the island to seize the opportunity to assert their aspirations and undeniable rights as a united force.
"I am not advocating for an armed struggle, nor is it appropriate," he stated. "But the time has come to intensify our political struggle and assert our aspirations, or our homeland will soon be handed over to others."
Wigneswaran criticized the manifestos of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, highlighting their ambiguity regarding commitments to the Tamil community.
"Their election manifestos clearly show the need for a common Tamil candidate, affirming that our decision is correct," he remarked.
"Both have mentioned plans to draft a new constitution, but there's no clarity on resolving the political issues or the extent of their commitment to the 13th Amendment, including police, land, administrative, and financial powers," he added, noting that their promises to the Tamils under the 13th Amendment are weak and meaningless.
He further commented on the manifestos of National People's Power leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s Namal Rajapaksa, which had not been released at the time. Based on their rhetoric, Wigneswaran suggested that they too had no intention of devolving any powers to the Tamil people.
Citing incidents in the North-East, Wigneswaran pointed out that 67 Buddhist temples have been erected in Mullaitivu alone. He also referenced a statement by Human Rights Watch, which noted that the government under Ranil Wickremesinghe continues the legacy of impunity and intimidation, much like his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
"The agenda of the Sri Lankan government is to fully occupy the Tamil homeland and transform it into a Buddhist nation," he stated.
Wigneswaran recalled how Eelam Tamil youth took up arms to defend the North-East and maintain control over it, and that it was only during this period that Tamils had any real authority over their homeland. "It is through struggle and resistance that we protect our rights and sustain our existence," he affirmed.
He called on Tamils across the island to rally behind the common Tamil candidate, Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran, as a powerful statement to both local politicians and the international community that the Tamil people reject false promises and will no longer be deceived by Sinhalese politicians.
"For many years, we have been misled into supporting their candidates, but we will no longer participate in their schemes, deceptions, and oppression of our people," Wigneswaran concluded.
"Dear Tamils, I urge you to vote for the common Tamil candidate under the conch symbol and rise together as a united force."
His full statement can be found here.
