Attempts to split TNA

[TamilNet, Saturday, 05 December 2009, 06:35 GMT]
A faction led by Mavai Senathirajah and some by Srikantha, both Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians for Jaffna, are said to be engaged in activities aimed at splitting TNA, sources in Jaffna said. Srikantha and Selvam Adaikalanathan, another TNA parliamentarian, met Monday Basil Rajapakse, the brother and senior advisor of President Mahinda Rajapakse, in Colombo after which Srikantha told press that Basil Rajapakse had consented to allow resettlement of 4,500 IDPs from Valikaamam North in the first stage. Meanwhile, Mavai Senathirajah said in a press release to the media that Thamizh Arasukk Kadchi (TAK) had sent a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse requesting the resettlement of IDPs in Valikaamam North.

While the other MPs of TNA remain silent on this matter political observers in Jaffna said that the attempt to split TNA is mainly for selfish motives.

Mavai Senathirajah is trying to give life to his TAK in a bid to be returned to parliament, they said.

Srikantha who leads Tamil Liberation Organization wants to oust TAK from TNA with the view to secure TNA leadership, they added.

On the whole these attempts to split TNA have created widespread dissatisfaction and opposition among the residents of Jaffna district.

The confusion as to which Presidential candidate should be supported by Tamils is expected to reach its climax as the election draws close.