In a blatant display of political manipulation, M.A. Sumanthiran has been appointed as the Acting General Secretary of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) under highly questionable circumstances. This move, orchestrated by Sumanthiran and P. Sathiyalingam, is nothing short of a coup designed to undermine Tamil sovereignty and unity.
A Pre-Planned Political Coup
- ITAK’s Leadership in Crisis – The party is already entangled in legal battles regarding its leadership. Despite this, a select group within the central committee appointed Sumanthiran, disregarding broader party concerns.
- Sathiyalingam’s Convenient Excuse – Sathiyalingam claimed he was stepping down due to “health reasons,” yet provided no transparency or medical proof. This vague justification aligns with a long-suspected plan to install Sumanthiran as his successor.
- A Rigged Appointment Process – This was set in motion when Sathiyalingam, who lost in the parliamentary elections, was strategically placed in a ‘bonus seat’—a move seen as a way to indirectly facilitate Sumanthiran’s takeover.
Why Sumanthiran’s Leadership is a Threat to Tamils
- Betrayal at the United Nations – Sumanthiran has worked against Tamil interests at the UN, blocking efforts to recognize the Tamil genocide and advocating for watered-down resolutions that favor Sri Lanka.
- Sabotaging Tamil Constitutional Rights – He has consistently pushed for a pro-Sri Lankan constitution, opposing key demands for federalism and Tamil self-determination. His legal maneuvering has weakened Tamil claims in Sri Lanka’s legal framework.
- Dividing Tamil Unity – He has been instrumental in breaking Tamil solidarity by favoring a pro-Colombo agenda while sidelining nationalist leaders who advocate for Tamil rights.
- Defender of War Criminals – Instead of holding Sri Lanka accountable for its war crimes, Sumanthiran has publicly argued against international justice mechanisms, making secret deals with the Sri Lankan state and Western diplomats to dilute Tamil demands.
- Opposition to a Tamil Referendum – While the Tamil diaspora has been advocating for a UN-monitored referendum on Tamil sovereignty, Sumanthiran has openly opposed such efforts, ensuring that Tamil political aspirations remain suppressed.
- Manipulating International Support – Instead of aligning with the Tamil diaspora’s legal and diplomatic efforts, Sumanthiran has actively discouraged foreign governments from supporting Tamil sovereignty, misleading international stakeholders.
- Enabling Sri Lanka’s Military Occupation – Despite the ongoing militarization of Tamil areas, Sumanthiran has failed to challenge Sri Lanka’s military presence, avoiding strong demands for the removal of Sinhala forces from Tamil homeland regions.
A Call to Action
Sumanthiran and Sathiyalingam’s backdoor maneuvering is a betrayal of Tamil aspirations. Tamil political leadership should serve the interests of the people, not Colombo-backed legal strategists working against Tamil sovereignty.
We call upon Tamil nationalist leaders, activists, and the global Tamil diaspora to reject this illegitimate political takeover and demand transparency and accountability within ITAK. The Tamil people deserve leaders who will fight for their self-determination—not those who collaborate with the oppressors.
Link to source:https://tamilwin.com/article/sumanthiran-acting-secretary-of-itak-1739708516
Thank you,
Tamil Diaspora News,
February 16, 2025″
