The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has thrown its support behind Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming Presidential election, following a five-hour deliberation. Party spokesman and MP M.A. Sumanthiran announced the decision, noting it was made unanimously.
“We had a lengthy and fruitful meeting, and we have decided to back Sajith,” Sumanthiran told Sri Lanka Guardian. The decision signals ITAK’s renewed support for Premadasa, echoing a similar stance taken during the 2019 presidential election.
In 2019, Sumanthiran had defended the Tamil National Alliance’s (TNA) decision to back Premadasa, amidst growing criticism. He had praised Premadasa’s reputation for hard work, stating, “Our people look to him to live up to his promises to continue the constitutional reform process and deliver on a political solution that will meet the aspirations of Sri Lankans across the country.”
