Mavai Senathirajah backs Ranil Wickremesinghe for Sri Lankan president

The current chairman of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) Mavai Senathirajah met with incumbent Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe this week, as turmoil rocked the party over the central committee decision to back Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming presidential election. 

As debate continues in the Tamil polity over whether to back the Tamil common candidate, boycott the elections entirely or choose another candidate, Senathirajah hosted Wickremesinghe at his residence in Kankasanthurai, Jaffna.  

In comments to the media following the meeting, Senathirajah said, “I told him it is crucial to resolve the ethnic issue once and for all. I am confident in his ability to win and encouraged him to pursue all the development projects he has planned.”  

Senathirajah also told reporters urged Wickremesinghe to draft a new constitution within three months of taking office. 

This meeting comes amid a recent decision the ITAK’s central committee to endorse Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for the presidency. Senathirajah was not involved in the discussions that led to this decision. 

The endorsement of Premadasa by ITAK has generated debate, particularly given the internal divisions within ITAK.  

On September 1, 2024, lawmaker Sumanthiran announced ITAK's support for Premadasa despite significant support within the party for Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran, a candidate backed by a coalition of Tamil political parties and civil society. 

Ariyanenthiran has been backed by a range of Tamil political parties and civil society organisations. The Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) have meanwhile called for a boycott of the elections.  

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