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Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran, the common Tamil candidate, held a press briefing in Mannar this week, stating that his candidacy in the upcoming Sri Lankan Presidential election serves as both a lesson for the Sri Lankan government and an opportunity for Tamils in the homeland to stand united.
“There is a clear consensus among the Tamil people that this platform should be used to demonstrate that we will not be deceived again,” Ariyanenthiran said while speaking at the TELO office in Mannar. “We are a community that has consistently fought to assert and preserve our identity. In this context, a Tamil’s right is to support the aspirations of all Tamils.”
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He emphasized that one of the key objectives of his candidacy is to unite Tamil political parties under a single banner. “I urge the people of this homeland to stand united. Someone will become president—it could be anyone. But this is our chance to show that Tamils will no longer be misled.”
Ariyanenthiran noted that seven Tamil political parties and several civil society organizations have already rallied behind his candidacy, and he expressed hope that others would also join in support.
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Continuing his campaign in Vavuniya, Ariyanenthiran toured the town, engaging with Eelam Tamils and distributing flyers. “The people of the North-East are wise; they will make the right choice. We all know that we’ve been misled by eight presidents in the past,” he said. “The outcome of this election will send a strong message to the international community, India, and the Sri Lankan government about our demand for a referendum and self-determination.”
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Addressing the ongoing issue of fishermen, Ariyanenthiran highlighted it as a key concern he intends to tackle if given the chance. “The encroachment by Indian fishermen is indeed a serious problem,” he said. “Instead of resorting to blame and animosity towards India, we should seek a lasting solution that ensures the protection of fishermen on both sides.”
