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ITAK’s backing for Sajith redefines Tamil vote in North and East – Sumanthiran
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Political dynamics in the North and East had shifted significantly following the decision of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the leading party representing Tamil interests, to support the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate for the presidency, according to ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran, who discussed this development in a recent televised interview.
Asked whether the Tamil electorate in the North and East would be divided among the four main contenders, Sumanthiran said it would not be the case.
“Once we decide to support the SJB Sajith Premadasa, the majority of votes will clearly go to Sajith,” .
He said that, at present, the two major candidates in the race are Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People’s Power (NPP). “We have decided to support Sajith,” he said.
Sumanthiran also dismissed the idea of fielding a common Tamil candidate, calling it a misguided strategy since such a candidate stood no chance of winning the presidency. He noted that P. Ariyanethran contesting the election would not benefit the Tamil community.
“In the 2019 election, we supported Sajith, and we will continue to support him in 2024,” Sumanthiran added, estimating that the Tamil voter base in the North and East consisted of about a million votes. He added that while those votes had previously been split among Sajith, Anura, and Ranil Wickremesinghe, ITAK’s backing of Sajith had now altered the electoral landscape.
“There’s no formal agreement with Sajith,” Sumanthiran said. “We don’t know Anura well, and we know Ranil too well, and that is why we rejected him. Ranil won the Northern vote in the past because Tamils were voting against the Rajapaksas. But now that he’s aligned with the Rajapaksa faction, our people will not support a Ranil-Rajapaksa coalition.”
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IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
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