Sri Lanka's Tamil National Alliance Backs Opposition's Premadasa

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), has announced its support for opposition challenger Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming presidential election. The decision, solidified at a central committee meeting, follows the TNA's historical pattern of supporting opposition candidates. The TNA had been split in its decision, with a section fielding a Tamil candidate, but has now unified behind Premadasa.

Sri Lanka's prominent Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), officially declared its support for opposition candidate Sajith Premadasa in the forthcoming presidential election scheduled for September 21.

MA Sumanthiran, TNA's spokesperson, confirmed this decision was finalized during a central committee gathering of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), a primary constituent of the TNA.

Political analysts had anticipated this endorsement, noting Sumanthiran's close cooperation with the opposition since last year. The TNA, historically allied with incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has supported opposition challengers in past elections.

Despite internal differences, highlighted by a faction fielding a Tamil candidate, the party has consolidated around Premadasa. ITAK Chair S Sritharan and other leaders have urged the Tamil candidate, P Ariyanethran, to withdraw. The Tamil electorate, comprising 2.2 million registered voters, is seen as pivotal in determining the election's outcome.

(With inputs from agencies.)