The fifth attempt to appoint a General Secretary for the Ilankei Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) party ended in disarray yesterday, with party members unable to reach a consensus due to ongoing internal conflicts.
The meeting, held in Vavuniya, saw heightened disagreements between factions within the party. Despite several rounds of discussions, no final decision has been made regarding the appointment of a new General Secretary, further exacerbating tensions within ITAK.
Dr. P. Sathyalingam, who is currently serving as the Acting General Secretary, is unwell and has requested the party to expedite the appointment of a permanent replacement. However, internal disputes have delayed the process.
The internal turmoil escalated when ITAK leader S. Sritharan threw his full support behind presidential candidate B. Arianethram, sparking opposition from a faction within the party, including former MP M.A. Sumanthiran. Sumanthiran, who favors supporting Sajith Premadasa for the presidency, has been at odds with Sritharan, contributing to a deepening rift within the party.
This divide has caused a significant crisis, with Sritharan distancing himself from party discussions, including those aimed at selecting a new General Secretary. Sritharan has instead focused his efforts on backing Arianethram’s alliance for the general election, supporting candidates running under the Hakgediya symbol.
Efforts to resolve the situation by consulting former ITAK leader Mavai Senathiraja have also faltered. Senathiraja, who had been involved in earlier discussions, has since decided to withdraw from the talks and adopt an independent stance, leaving the party without a clear path forward.
The leadership struggle has thrown ITAK into uncertainty, as the search for a new General Secretary continues without resolution.
