Mavai concedes to ITAK decision to back Sajith

Wednesday, 4 September 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ITAK Interim Leader

Mavai Senathirajah

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) Interim Leader Mavai Senathirajah has announced that he will concede to the party’s central committee decision to support Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa.

Initially, when ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran announced the party’s decision on Sunday, Senathirajah contested the announcement, stating it could not be considered the official party stance. He claimed he had not been informed of the central committee’s decision to back Premadasa and was unaware that such a decision had been made.

However, on Monday addressing the media in Jaffna, Senathirajah said the decision of the ITAK central committee must be accepted.

“We have the responsibility to implement the decision taken by the ITAK Central Committee regarding this election. It is our duty as the ITAK,” he said. “However, people should think carefully and cast their votes with the future liberation of the Tamil nation in mind,” he said. He urged the Tamil community to unite in their pursuit of liberation.

Senathirajah made these remarks at a commemoration event in Jaffna honouring former MP V. Dharmalingam. According to political sources, despite his initial reluctance to back Preamdasa and support for fielding a Tamil common candidate, P. Ariyanethran, Senathirajah has decided to back Sajith Premadasa following the ITAK decision.