Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) Interim Leader Mavai Senathirajah has announced that he will adhere to the party’s central committee decision to support Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa.
Initially, when ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran disclosed the party’s decision on Sunday, Senathirajah contested it, arguing that it was not the official stance of the party. He claimed he was unaware of the central committee’s decision to back Premadasa.
However, in a media address on Monday in Jaffna, Senathirajah conceded that the ITAK central committee’s decision must be respected.
“As ITAK members, we are obligated to implement the central committee’s decision regarding this election,” he said. “Nevertheless, I urge the Tamil community to consider the future liberation of the Tamil nation when casting their votes.”
Senathirajah made these statements during a commemoration event in Jaffna honoring former MP V. Dharmalingam. Despite his initial reluctance and preference for a Tamil common candidate, P. Ariyanethran, Senathirajah has ultimately decided to support Sajith Premadasa following the ITAK’s decision, according to political sources.