Sumanthiran, Sritharan take contrasting views before Jaishankar on common Tamil candidate

22 June 2024 05:54 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 13 Bookmark

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The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) , the main Tamil party in the north and the east, appeared divided in front of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar regarding the plan to field a common Tamil Presidential candidate S. Sritharan supporting it and Jaffna district MP M.A. Sumanthiran opposing it openly.

The Indian Minister, during his Thursday’s visit , met the representatives of Tamil parties. Tamil leaders such as C.V. Vigneswaran, Selvarajah Gajendran, Dharmalingam Sithaththan and Selvam Adaikkalanadan briefed him about the plan for a common Tamil candidate instead of supporting any main candidate from the south.

The ITAK , the key party in the north and the east commanding the majority support, remains divided with the two leaders holding contrasting views.

Comments - 13

Prof. Senarath Saturday, 22 June 2024 07:29 PM

Please don't miss this opportunity to be a part of building a common Sri Lankan identity and equitable future for all Sri Lankans. This is what didn't happen in 1947. You have the opportunity to make it happen now.

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Ratnayaka Sunday, 23 June 2024 01:24 AM

Dear Prof: Please advice to Wimal, Udaya and Sarath Weerasekara and above all Rajapakses the same. Country is is a bad situation, they still try to play racist politics and Tamils who lost the trust, thinking of using the Presidential elections as a referendum to tell the world what they actually want. It is a real danger in a democratic way.

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lion Sunday, 23 June 2024 04:50 AM

Very true, this is the last chance we have and dont repeat the mistake did by your predecessors

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Can you fantasise? Sunday, 23 June 2024 09:00 AM

Can you pleaae clarify "to build a common Sri Lankan identity and equitable future for all", should the minoroties in Sri Lanka be subservient to the majority? Is the majority ready to elect a president from any of the minority? In Guyana the President Irfan Ali and Speaker of the assembly Manzoor Nadir are from a minority of just 7.5%. I hope you have the wisdom to understand that the majority voted them in. Can you at least fantasies it happening in SL even in a commedy show? Before everything can you get DM to publish this comment?

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Curious Muslim Saturday, 22 June 2024 08:23 PM

Sritharan beat Summanthiran and became the leader of the Tamil party. So how come , Summanthiran is behaving like the leader .

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Neo Saturday, 22 June 2024 09:29 PM

Because he has the western backing. He is Ranil of North.

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Islander Sunday, 23 June 2024 02:40 AM

Apparently it is not a settled issue yet.

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Citizen Saturday, 22 June 2024 08:51 PM

In case if thete is a common camdidaye in North East SJB majority vote base is their.

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Volker Metzger Saturday, 22 June 2024 08:56 PM

The ITAK and its political leaders should think very carefully about whether they should put their own Tamil presidential candidate "into the race"! In view of the very disappointing proposals from the south to date for solving the ethnic question and problems, it is advisable to consider new options, taking a close look at the presidential candidates named so far, AKD, Premadasa, Wickremesinghe and Fonseka, who is also running for election, and to combine their votes with the "most powerful", most convincing and above all most credible of the four candidates!!! The proposals of the first three have been known for a long time, but there are legitimate doubts about their implementation! Wickremesinghe has not yet succeeded in presenting a concept that is accepted by the Tamils, pragmatic and viable for political practice!

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Volker Metzger Saturday, 22 June 2024 08:58 PM

Only with Fonseka, who was supported by the majority of Tamils in 2010, is such a feat of strength and its implementation, in cooperation with the representatives of the Tamil people, possible and achievable!!! Fonseka represents the interests and political goals of all ethnic groups, everyone can trust him, and he also has the necessary personal and political assertiveness!!! Now it is up to the voters, especially the Tamils, to change the majority situation in his favor!!!

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Can you elect? Saturday, 22 June 2024 10:09 PM

@ Prof. Senarath. Sorry to say this Prof. It's not the minority who should be building common Sri Lankan identity and EQUITABLE future. If an educated person like you thinks like this imagine what a layman will be thinking (particularly if influenced by you)? It should be the majority who had been discriminatory since independence. When the majority chooses to deny this fact they will continue to loose opportunities. Have you heard of President Irfan Ali of Guyana? He is from the minority of only 7% of Guyana. Call it equitable. Forget about Tamils or Muslims, can you Sinhalese elect a minority from Malays or Burgers of SL? You can't. Even 1% of sinhalese will not vote for them. Next time before commenting please give some serious thoughts.

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NV Jen Saturday, 22 June 2024 10:11 PM

Let all 3 candidates declare their policy towards resolving the ethnic issue publicly, and then seek votes from North East. Hope that South will accept the fact that ethnic disharmony kindled by the racist , pseudo, corrupt Sinhalese politicians is the major cause for becoming a failed state.

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Thamilan Sunday, 23 June 2024 03:36 AM

When is ITAK ever going to realise that Sumanthiran is Sinhalese BY Day and Tamil by night? It is long past to eject this 'creepy crawly' out of Tamil Politics for good.

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