Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has decided to vote against the upcoming national budget due to the current National People’s Power (NPP) government’s perceived lack of constructive action over the past year in providing a political solution to the ethnic issue in the North and East.
The decision comes amid growing frustration within the party. Parliamentarian R. Sanakkian recently informed the President that there is strong opposition against the government among ITAK MPs, particularly since more than six months have passed without even an acknowledgment of a letter sent to the President requesting an opportunity to discuss the ethnic issue.
During the discussion, it was conveyed directly to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that even following the conclusion of the war during the Rajapaksa regime, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had provided opportunities for dialogue with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
“That is why the TNA supported Mahinda’s budget during that period,” the message indicated. However, the ruling NPP government appears to show no interest in discussing a solution for the national ethnic issue.
Acknowledging these concerns, President Dissanayake assured action would be taken to arrange an early discussion with the ITAK.
Subsequently, during a recent parliamentary session, MP R. Sanakkian contacted the President via phone to inquire about the matter. A few hours later, the Presidential Secretariat confirmed that the President had decided to hold a discussion with the ITAK on November 19th or 20th.
Accordingly, a special discussion between the President and the ITAK is scheduled to take place at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday or Thursday of this week.
This high-level meeting is viewed as an urgent diplomatic move by the government, ahead of the budget vote, to secure the government’s commitment to addressing the political aspirations and issues of the Tamil people, thereby potentially gaining the ITAK’s support for the budget.