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Tamil parties in North and East reiterate longstanding demand
View(s):Marking the day with rallies in the North and East, Tamil political parties reiterated demands for political and economic reforms. Central to these is the longstanding call for a constitutional solution to ensure a dignified livelihood for the Tamil-speaking community.
The grand old party of Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) observed International Workers’ Day by holding two major rallies in the two provinces.
ITAK rally in Paddipalai, Batticaloa
The northern rally was held in Mankulam, Mullaitivu, under the leadership of the party’s General Secretary M. A. Sumanthiran while the parallel eastern rally took place in Paddipalai, Batticaloa, led by MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.
Speaking at the rally, Sumanthiran alleged that the current National People’s Power (NPP) government should start cleaning its own house when it comes to eradicating corruption.
“There are a couple of corruption cases being filed. Those are small fishes but the big sharks are within the NPP itself. The government should start from there,” the former MP and current party secretary said.
Addressing the gathering in Paddipalai, MP Rasamanickam emphasised the urgent need for a lasting political solution through a new constitutional framework.
He argued that granting Tamil people the right to govern their traditional areas of habitation is essential to resolving longstanding livelihood challenges in the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors.
A formal declaration was read at both events, outlining ten critical political and economic demands including economic relief for wage earners, support for the self-employed, accountability for electricity hikes etc.
The party also reiterated to hold long delayed Provincial Council elections within this year without further postponement.
Meanwhile, another separate rally, led by ITAK MP. S. Shritharan was held in Kilinochchi as well with the participation of local workers’ unions.
The Tamil National Council (Tamil Thesiya Peravai), an electoral alliance led by All Ceylon Tamil Congress held its May Day rally in Nallur, Jaffna under the leadership of MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.
The NPP also held its district level May Day rally in Jaffna with the participation of senior ministers including Fisheries Minister R. Chandrasekhar and Transports Minister Bimal Rathnayake.
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