ITAK is to reiterate federal solution under merged N&E to Presidential candidates

ITAK Jaffna Disttrict MP M.A. Sumanthiran addresses media after Central Committee meeting along with party's senior leaders- senior leaders Mavai Senathirajah (not visible) and C.V.K. Sivagnanam on Sunday (11). Pix: Northeastern Monitor

Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) decided to reiterate that a federal-based power devolution under merged North and Eastern provinces as a solution to the longstanding ethnic conflict to leading Presidential candidates who seek the party’s support in the upcoming elections on September 21. 

The Central Committee of ITAK which met in Vavuniya yesterday also decided to put forward the party’s position- the same electoral mandate it received from Tamil people in past elections to leading Presidential candidates who reached out to the party seeking their support in the elections. 

Following the meeting, ITAK senior leaders Mavai Senathirajah, C.V.K. Sivagnanam and M.A. Sumanthiran spoke to the media. 

Mr Sumanthiran said that the party had already talks with two of the three leading Presidential candidates- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and leader of JVP-led National Peoples’ Power Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the party office in Jaffna. 

“Meanwhile, President Wickremesinghe also met with our party leader Mavai Senathirajah and handed in a document as well. Tamil peoples’ political aspirations have not been met considering what three candidates have declared so far, we have informed them as well,” Mr Sumanthiran said. 

The one-time party spokesman also said Sri Lanka Podhujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate Namal Rajapaksa met him at his residence in Colombo and requested to have talks with the party. “We will consider it and meet him if necessary to explain the political aspirations of Tamil people as well,”

“This is our stand and we will inform any Presidential candidates who are willing to talk to us. If anyone agrees to this, we will extend our support to that candidate but so far we have not taken a decision on this so far,” MP Sumanthiran said. (Northeastern Monitor/ August 12/2024)