Ponnambalam warns against divisions in Tamil political parties

By Dinasena Rathugamage

The opportunistic behaviour of certain Tamil politicians must not be allowed to weaken Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka, Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) leader, MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, said on Wednesday (01). He made those remarks during a media briefing held near the Nallur Kovil in Jaffna.

MP Ponnambalam expressed concern over lack of unity in the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) party, describing it as a significant obstacle to securing the rights of the Tamil people. He emphasised that senior and experienced leaders of the party must take responsibility for preserving and strengthening it.

The weakening of the ITAK undermined efforts to achieve the rights that Tamil people aimed to secure through those political parties, he said.

MP Ponnambalam insisted that no government—current or otherwise—had offered anything freely to the Tamil community. Therefore, he stressed the need for Tamil political parties to remain strong to support the struggles that may arise in the future for their community’s rights.

Ponnambalam said any attempts to create divisions or destroy the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi party must be firmly opposed, as the strength of the party is crucial for the Tamil community’s political aspirations.