Differences brew in ITAK over decision to back Sajith Premadasa

3 September 2024 09:33 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

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Colombo, September 3 (Daily Mirror) - Resentment brews within the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) over the decision by the party’s Central Committee to back Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa in the absence of some its leaders such as former MP Mavai Senathirajah and S. Sridharan.

The Central Committee that met in Vavuniya on Sunday decided to back Mr. Premadasa while a section of the party insists on supporting common Tamil candidate P. Ariyanethran who is a former MP from the Batticaloa District.

Party’s spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran announced the decision to the media. He said the decision was taken after deliberation of five years.

However, Mr. Senathirajah who is the ITAK President, said that the decision was taken even without consulting him.

“On that day, I had a chest pain. Therefore, I had to rush to see a doctor. That is why I couldn’t attend the meeting. Still, the party had taken this decision. There is a dispute now,” he said. He said the decision to back Mr. Premadasa without any understanding with him for the resolution of the ethnic conflict could not be accepted.

The Tamil parties that stand by the common Tamil candidate argue that rejection of him would weaken Tamils’ demand for Federalism.