Tamil Parties in Sri Lanka: Ego Wars and Alliances

Strategic Insights -

The Tamil parties in Sri Lanka's Northern Province have been embroiled in an "ego war" with internal power struggles and alliances outside the dominant ITAK party. The ITAK's acting general secretary, M A Sumanthiran, has significant powers and is at the center of these internal dynamics. The party's insistence on fielding candidates in mayoral elections, despite not having a majority vote-share, has led to tensions with other parties. A deal between the ITAK and the EPDP, a former "traitor" to the Tamil cause, has further complicated matters.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ITAK's internal power struggle has led to an "ego war" with other Tamil parties, including its former allies in the TNA.
  • The party's insistence on fielding candidates in mayoral elections has led to tensions with other parties, including the EPDP.
  • The ITAK's deal with the EPDP has been criticized by party officials, including Sritharan, who felt left out of the decision-making process.
  • The ITAK's actions have been seen as arrogant and unyielding, leading to a lack of trust among other Tamil parties.
  • Parliamentarian Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam has been critical of the ITAK's actions and has called for a more inclusive approach to Tamil politics.
  • The Tamil Congress has formed an alliance with the "Democratic Tamil Front," a group of parties that split from the TNA.
  • The new alliance has been seen as a attempt to reduce the ITAK's influence in Tamil politics.

Statistics:

  • The ITAK has won the single-largest seat-share in most local governments in the Northern Province.
  • The party has stuck to its decision to field candidates in mayoral elections, despite not having a majority vote-share.
  • Over 40% of Tamil voters have voted for non-Tamil parties, including the JVP-NPP, in local government elections.
  • The JVP-NPP has won the highest vote-share and seat-share in the Tamil Northern Province.

Sources:

  • [Colombo Gazette]
  • [The Daily Mirror]
  • [The Sunday Leader]
  • [The Island]
  • [TamilNet]