Deputy Leader of the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) C.V.K. Sivagnanam has alleged that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is making an attempt to break up the main political force in the North.

Addressing the media, in Jaffna, on 19 January, Sivagnanam claimed that President Dissanayake was trying hard to secure the allegiance of two senior ITAK members. He said he was confident that they would not switch their allegiance to the NPP.

Sivagnanam attributed President Dissanayake’s regular visits to the Northern Province and the allocation of significant amounts of public funds for development projects in the North to NPP’s bid to undermine the ITAK.

While the LTTE was active, the ITAK-led TNA represented its interests in Parliament. The alliance collapsed before the last parliamentary election with constituent members breaking ranks.

Sivagnanam said that they had been cautious as the President allocated large amounts of funds for the North at the expense of the South. The ITAK senior censured the President for repeatedly inquiring into their activities, particularly during his visits to the North. According to him, though the President had assured the northerners of major projects, the NPP government was yet to implement any of them. Sivagnanam urged President Dissanayake to focus on two major issues, namely government-led land grab and post-war resettlement.

The ITAK senior asked the President to stop acting and start focusing on genuine issues.

By Dinasena Ratugamage ✍️