Thu Nov 07 14:03:42 UTC 2024: ## Tamils Seek Strong Representation in Sri Lankan Parliament, Says ITAK Leader
**COLOMBO:** Despite the recent change in Sri Lanka’s national politics with the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as President, the Tamil community will need robust representation in Parliament to secure their rights and address long-standing demands, according to prominent Tamil politician M.A. Sumanthiran.
Sumanthiran, a senior lawyer and former MP, is contesting the November 14 parliamentary elections from the Jaffna district for the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), a party that has historically been the main voice for Tamils in the Sri Lankan legislature.
The ITAK is emphasizing the need for strong Tamil representation in Parliament to advocate for the rights of the Tamil people in the north and east, especially in the context of the new government and its potential for significant change.
Sumanthiran highlights the ITAK’s commitment to a federal solution, a demand that the Tamil community has been advocating for over 75 years. However, the party has been grappling with internal differences and the disintegration of its broader alliance, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), since the passing of its leader, Rajavarothiam Sampanthan.
Despite these challenges, Sumanthiran asserts that the ITAK has grown stronger and more decisive in its approach to representing the Tamil community.
The Tamil people, particularly the youth, are seeking economic progress and development in the war-affected region, where unemployment remains high. They are looking for opportunities to stay and work in their homeland instead of migrating elsewhere.
However, they are also firmly committed to the ongoing demand for a political solution that addresses their identity as a distinct people. Sumanthiran emphasizes that development and political rights are inextricably linked.
While the ITAK backed Sajith Premadasa in the recent presidential election, Sumanthiran expresses willingness to work with President Dissanayake on issues like corruption. The ITAK is also hopeful that the new government will follow through on its promise to draft a new constitution, which could provide a framework for a political solution.
The Tamil community faces numerous challenges, including ongoing demands for accountability for alleged war crimes, economic stagnation, and continued militarization. The upcoming parliamentary elections will be crucial in determining the future direction of Tamil representation and the overall political landscape in Sri Lanka.
First Piper 