Is ITAK Re-evaluating Decision to Support Sajith? Find out the facts…
INTRO :
As Sri Lanka's presidential election approaches, and in a background where the final phases of postal voting are being completed, A news article shows that The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi Re-evaluating Decision to Support Sajith for Presidential electionWhat is the Claim:
Explainer:
We started our investigation by reviewing several news videos regarding the meeting with Mavai Senadhiraja, the leader of ITAK, which led to confusion over ITAK’s decision to support Sajith in the upcoming presidential Election.We found an uncut video of Mavai Senadhiraja's speech, in which he mentioned that he hadn’t changed his opinion against the party's decision. Mavai only mentioned that he couldn’t participate in that meeting, so as a party leader, he needed clarification from party members regarding the decision to support Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming presidential election.
Mavai Senadhiraja Version
Our team contacted the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi Leader, Mavai Senadhiraja, and asked about his decision regarding the presidential election. He mentioned that they will have party meetings on upcoming dates, during which they will discuss more about a presidential candidate's manifesto and give a press release, too.Shritharan Sivagnanam Version
Meanwhile, we reviewed Sritharan Sivagnanam's statement after Vavuniya Meeting Day, in which he mentioned that the TNA Party formed a 6-member team last month 18 (18.08.2024) to research the presidential candidate manifesto.
He stated that this group included himself, Mavai Senadhiraja, Dr.Sathiyalingam, C. V. K. Sivagnanam, M. A. Sumanthiran, and former Parliament member E. Saravanapavan. This team was formed to research the presidential candidate and discussions related to several key candidates regarding their manifestos and policies. The party is already in progress, and they plan to give a press release soon.
Sritharan adds that supporting an independent candidate is their personal choice, so the party never takes any action against them.
Sumanthiran Version
President's Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, representing the Ilangai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), stated to Newsfirst that the party's decision to support Sajith Premadasa remains unchanged. Sumanthiran emphasised that the decision was made following proper procedures and has now been accepted by all party members.Taking to ‘X’, Sumanthiran said that the decision was accepted by all party members, following discussions with members Mavei Senadhiraja and M. Sreedharan, who called for ITAK to reconsider its stance.
“It is a decision taken by our party according to the proper method. Now both of them have accepted that. Therefore, they have accepted that the future work should be discussed again with Sajith Premadasa,” Sumanthiran said.
“It is a decision taken by our party according to the proper method. Now both of them (Senathirajah and Shreetharan) have accepted that. Therefore, they have accepted that the future work should be discussed again with (only) Sajith Premadasa," he said. https://t.co/p0WricD4D4
— M A Sumanthiran (@MASumanthiran) September 12, 2024
Press Release
Meanwhile, we found an official press release from the general secretary. In it, they mention that Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi never Re-evaluated the Decision to Support Sajith.
The team gathered in Vavuniya to discuss the Sajith Premadasa manifesto and its benefits for Tamil-speaking people. They mentioned that the election-related committee will meet again on the 18th and will review the progress regarding the above issues and make another statement.
Who’s Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi?
lankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi is a Sri Lankan political party representing the Sri Lankan Tamil. This party was founded by S. J. V. Chelvanayakam, C. Vanniasingam, & E. M. V. Naganathan in 19as, a breakaway faction of the All Ceylon TamilCongress (ACTC). In 1972, they merged with the ACTC and Ceylon Workers'Congress (CWC) to form the Tamil United Front, which later changed its name to the Tamil UnitedLiberation Front (TULF). ITAK remained dormant until 2004, when a split,t in the TULF resulted in ITAK being re-established as an active political party. ITAK is the main constituent party of the Tamil National Alliance.
Who’s Tamil National Alliance?
The Tamil NationalAlliance is a political alliance that was formed in October 2001 to contest the 2001 parliamentary election on a common platform. On 20 October 2001, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the All-Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) and Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF). At the 2001 parliamentary election, the TNA, contesting under the name and symbol of the TULF, received 348,164 votes (3.89%) and won 15 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
At the 2010 presidentialelection, the TNA supported common opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka, who, as Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, had played a key role in the LTTE's defeat.
At the 2015 presidentialelection, the TNA supported common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Newly elected president Sirisena formed a national unity government after the election. Still, the TNA chose not to join the new government, saying that, although the TNA supported Sirisena's policies for political reform, a political solution must first be found to address Tamil grievances before the TNA would consider joining the government. However, The TNA was represented by its leader, Sampanthan, on the National Executive Council.
At the 2015parliamentary election, the TNA received 515,963 votes (4.62%) and won 16 out of 225 seats. After the election, Past Sampanthan was recognized as the Leader of theOpposition in parliament.
At the 2010 presidentialelection, the TNA supported common opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka, who, as Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, had played a key role in the LTTE's defeat.
At the 2015 presidentialelection, the TNA supported common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Newly elected president Sirisena formed a national unity government after the election. Still, the TNA chose not to join the new government, saying that, although the TNA supported Sirisena's policies for political reform, a political solution must first be found to address Tamil grievances before the TNA would consider joining the government. However, The TNA was represented by its leader, Sampanthan, on the National Executive Council.
At the 2015parliamentary election, the TNA received 515,963 votes (4.62%) and won 16 out of 225 seats. After the election, Past Sampanthan was recognized as the Leader of theOpposition in parliament.