September 08, Colombo (LNW): Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran has come forward in defence of National People’s Power (NPP) leader and presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, following backlash over his recent comments in the North, which according to his political opponents ‘racially provocative’.
Dissanayake had remarked, “When the people of the South are rallying for change, if you oppose that change, imagine the mood of the people in the South. Do you want Jaffna to be seen as opponents of that change?”
The statement, viewed by some as a veiled threat to the Northern populace, drew sharp criticism, particularly from incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who condemned the remarks.
However, in a media address, Sumanthiran dismissed claims of racial intent behind Dissanayake’s words. “I know comrade Anura Kumara well,” he stated. “He is not someone driven by racist sentiment. In fact, he has consistently fought to eradicate racism from this country. His comments should not be misinterpreted.”
Sumanthiran emphasised that the TNA did not interpret Dissanayake’s statement as hostile towards the Tamil people, reaffirming his confidence in Dissanayake’s commitment to equality and unity.
Whilst the TNA has thrown its support behind opposition leader Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming presidential election, Sumanthiran highlighted areas of common ground between his party and Dissanayake’s NPP, particularly in addressing corruption and misrule.
“We may back different candidates, but on key issues like rooting out corruption, we stand together,” he said.
In contrast, President Wickremesinghe maintained a stern stance against Dissanayake’s remarks, arguing that they amounted to coercion of the Northern community. Speaking at a rally in Jaffna, the President assured the Northern population that their rights would be fully safeguarded under his leadership. “The people of the North will be protected by the law, and such threats will not be tolerated,” Wickremesinghe declared, demanding the NPP leader to publicly apologise to both the Northern Tamil people and the Southern communities for his rhetoric.
