Tamil National Alliance Awaits Candidate Manifestos in Crucial Presidential Election

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is awaiting the manifestos of major presidential candidates ahead of the September 21 elections to decide its stance. While the TNA has not endorsed a common Tamil candidate, they are considering their options carefully. President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa are among the frontrunners.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) announced on Monday that it is waiting for the manifestos of major presidential candidates to decide who should receive the Tamil minority vote. This decision emerged from extensive deliberations within the alliance's executive committee, revealed TNA legislator Shanakiyan Rasamanikkam.

With the presidential election scheduled for September 21, featuring 39 candidates, the TNA has yet to align with any specific candidate. Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe, main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake are considered the main contenders.

Rasamanikkam noted divergent opinions within the committee, with some members favoring a common Tamil candidate, while others argued for free will among voters. The TNA has distanced itself from a Tamil candidate, Pakiyaselvan Ariyanethran, for party defiance. Both Wickremesinghe and Premadasa have pledged to implement the 13th amendment, benefiting the Tamil provinces.

(With inputs from agencies.)