Differences brew in ITAK over decision to back Sajith Premadasa

• Not even party’s president consulted- Mavai Senathirajah

By Kelum Bandara 

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.