Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) President and Jaffna MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has declared that the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has no moral authority to lead protests against the government's Kivul Oya irrigation project, accusing the party of having previously facilitated the Sinhalisation of Tamil areas.
Addressing a press conference in Jaffna, Ponnambalam argued that civil society organisations, rather than ITAK, should take the lead in organising resistance to the controversial project, which critics say threatens demographic changes in the Tamil-majority region.
Historical Precedent Cited
Ponnambalam cited the renaming of the Tamil village of Kokkachankulam in Mullaitivu District with a Sinhala name during the “good governance” administration of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in which the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) was a key parliamentary partner.
According to the TNPF leader, in 2017, land belonging to Tamil residents of Kokkachankulam was allocated to Sinhala settlers under the pretext of issuing land deeds to Tamil villagers. He further alleged that although the then Opposition Leader and TNA leader, R. Sampanthan, did not attend the event due to ill health, a message of blessing from him was read out by the then TNA media spokesperson, M.A. Sumanthiran.
Budget Silence Criticised
Ponnambalam further criticised ITAK for remaining silent when funds for the Kivul Oya project were allocated in the most recent national budget, suggesting the party's current opposition was driven by political expediency following increased media attention.
"I raised my objections in Parliament when the budget allocation for the Kivul Oya project was debated, but ITAK remained silent," he said.
Loss of Karaithuraipattu Control
The TNPF leader also held ITAK responsible for losing control of the Karaithuraipattu Pradeshiya Sabha to the ruling National People's Power (NPP). The local authority recently became the first Pradeshiya Sabha in the North to fall under NPP control after its ITAK chairman switched allegiance to the ruling party.
Ponnambalam noted that land administration powers in areas falling under the Mahaweli 'L' Zone come under Karaithuraipattu Pradeshiya Sabha jurisdiction, making its control strategically significant for the Kivul Oya project.
Call for Civil Society Leadership
While reiterating his opposition to what he described as the Sinhalisation of Tamil areas through the Kivul Oya project, Ponnambalam said civil society groups should unite and take the lead in organising resistance, with his party extending its support.
He accused ITAK of engaging in deceptive political practices and said such parties could not be allowed to determine the political direction of the Tamil people.
The Kivul Oya project has emerged as a contentious issue in Tamil politics, with concerns raised about potential demographic changes and land rights in the region. ITAK has not yet responded to Ponnambalam's allegations.
