Tue Mar 04 15:16:52 UTC 2025: **Sri Lankan Tamil Parties Urged to Unite Against New Government**

COLOMBO, March 4, 2025 – Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Jaffna MP and leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), has called for the consolidation of Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka’s Parliament. Following the November election which saw the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition secure a supermajority, Mr. Ponnambalam argues that unity is crucial to effectively challenge the new government and advocate for Tamil rights.

The NPP, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, significantly outperformed Tamil parties in the north and east in all but one district. Mr. Ponnambalam attributes this to a combination of factors, including fragmentation within the Tamil polity, voter dissatisfaction with existing leadership, and disillusionment with the lack of progress since the end of the civil war in 2009. He also points to an “erosion” of Tamil nationalist politics, citing a disconnect between promises made during elections and the actions of the parties afterward. He specifically criticized the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)’s close engagement with the previous administration (2015-2019).

While acknowledging the significant losses suffered by Tamil parties, Mr. Ponnambalam insists this does not represent a rejection of Tamil nationalism. He emphasizes the need for the 19 Tamil MPs elected from the north and east to form a united bloc in Parliament to challenge the government’s claim to have a mandate from the region. Although expressing reservations about the JVP’s past, he notes a shift in their rhetoric under President Dissanayake, who has vowed to combat racism. However, Mr. Ponnambalam stresses that this requires concrete action, including constitutional reforms to address the unitary state structure and devolve power fairly. He reiterated a willingness to commit to the country’s unity and territorial integrity while advocating for federalism. Mr. Ponnambalam has extended an invitation to other Tamil parties, including rivals, to cooperate in this effort.

Read More