The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (dTNA)—a grouping formed by parties that broke away from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)—have decided to jointly prepare a political document which they describe as reflecting the aspirations of the Tamil people. The two sides have also invited other Tamil political parties operating within the Tamil national political space to participate in the process.
Addressing a joint media briefing alongside EPRLF Leader and dTNA Spokesperson Suresh Premachandran, ITAK General Secretary M. A. Sumanthiran said the initiative was aimed at articulating a unified Tamil political position at a time of uncertainty surrounding constitutional reform and devolution.
“The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance will prepare a document that reflects the aspirations of the Tamil people. We call upon other actors operating within the Tamil national political space to join us in this effort,” Sumanthiran said.
The meeting was attended by ITAK Leader C. V. K. Sivagnanam, M. A. Sumanthiran, and senior leaders of dTNA constituent parties, including MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan (TELO), Dharmalingam Siddharthan (PLOTE), Suresh Premachandran (EPRLF), C. Vendan of the Crusaders for Democracy Party, M. Chandrakumar of the Samaththuva Party, and dTNA General Secretary N. Ratnalingam.
Provincial Council Elections and Constitution
Speaking to the press, Sumanthiran strongly criticised the continued postponement of Provincial Council elections, stating that electoral system reforms could not be used as a justification for indefinitely delaying the polls.
He said Provincial Councils, though not the final solution to the Tamil national question, were introduced as part of a constitutional framework to address Tamil political grievances and that their prolonged non-functioning had caused serious harm.
“The government promised in its presidential election manifesto to hold Provincial Council elections within one year. Even after more than a year and four additional months, there is still no indication that elections will be held. Attempts are clearly being made to delay them further,” he said.
Sumanthiran also expressed scepticism about the government’s claims of preparing for constitutional reform, noting that while senior ministers had made statements, there was little clarity on whether these initiatives were genuine.
Sources Point to Power Calculations Behind ITAK–dTNA Alignment
An informed source told Jaffna Monitor that the arrangement between ITAK and the dTNA is also aimed at positioning M. A. Sumanthiran as the alliance’s Chief Ministerial candidate for the Northern Provincial Council, should elections be held.
The source further claimed that the discussions include a tentative power-sharing formula, under which four ministerial portfolios would be allocated to ITAK, PLOTE, TELO, and EPRLF, while the post of Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council would go to Murugesu Chandrakumar, leader of the Samaththuva Party, if the government holds the elections and the ITAK-led alliance emerges victorious.
Developments Come Amid Shritharan Controversy
These developments come against the backdrop of an intensifying internal power struggle within ITAK, alongside growing concerns over the role and conduct of ITAK Jaffna MP and Parliamentary Group Leader S. Shritharan in the Constitutional Council.
Sources told Jaffna Monitor that discussions between dTNA leaders and the ITAK leadership also focused on concerns over S. Shritharan’s conduct and his refusal to step down from the Constitutional Council despite a directive issued by the ITAK Political Committee.
According to informed sources who spoke to Jaffna Monitor, leaders of dTNA constituent parties sought clarity from the ITAK leadership on whether Shritharan would abide by collective party decisions on matters of national importance.
Sources further said that M. A. Sumanthiran, Suresh Premachandran, Dharmalingam Siddharthan, and MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan expressed dissatisfaction over Shritharan’s recent actions in the Constitutional Council, particularly his support for government-backed appointments of senior military officials to key constitutional positions, despite representing minority interests.
The standoff centers on S. Shritharan's conduct as ITAK's representative on the Constitutional Council. The party's Political Committee recently directed him to resign after he voted with the government on eight occasions, including four appointments involving former military officers—a sensitive issue in the North. Shritharan has refused, and party insiders allege his votes may be influenced by business interests, including bar licenses obtained in Kilinochchi, that could leave him vulnerable to government pressure.
Possible dTNA Response
According to sources, the dTNA is considering issuing a public statement expressing its displeasure with Shritharan’s conduct in the Constitutional Council, similar to the earlier criticism voiced by Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) Leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam. However, no official announcement has yet been made.
Shritharan’s Letter
Meanwhile, Jaffna Monitor learns that Shritharan has sent a registered letter to the ITAK leadership responding to the Political Committee’s directive asking him to resign from the Constitutional Council. The letter, titled “Constitutional Council,” is addressed to C. V. K. Sivagnanam, Acting Leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi.
In the letter, Shritharan maintains that the Constitutional Council is an independent body and that its members are required to act according to conscience, free from party directives or political pressure.
He also challenges the authority of the party leadership to compel his resignation, stating that he was not nominated to the Constitutional Council by either the party’s Political Committee or its Central Committee.
According to a source familiar with the contents of the letter who spoke to Jaffna Monitor, Shritharan conveys—albeit in a different language—that no individual within the party has the authority to act against him in this matter. The source further noted that while Shritharan formally addresses Sivagnanam as Acting Leader, he does not recognise M. A. Sumanthiran as Acting General Secretary in the letter—an omission seen by party insiders as a deliberate signal that Shritharan is unwilling to accept Sumanthiran’s authority even in an interim capacity.
Political Cost of Internal Feuds
Separately, an ITAK supporter speaking to Jaffna Monitor remarked that while senior ITAK leaders remain preoccupied with internal power struggles, the Sinhala-majority National People's Power (NPP) has already made significant inroads in the Northern Province and continues to steadily expand its political footprint at the grassroots level. The supporter observed that, village by village, the NPP is strengthening its presence in Tamil-speaking areas, even as ITAK leaders remain mired in internal disputes.
