Sri Lanka’s Tamil Voters Divided in Presidential Election

Why in the news?

Sri Lanka’s Tamil voters face division in the upcoming presidential election, split between supporting a strong Tamil identity or backing a Sinhalese frontrunner candidate.

About the News:

Division Among Tamil Voters:

  • Northern Tamil voters in Sri Lanka are split between backing a Sinhalese candidate or Tamil candidate P. Ariyanethiran, knowing Ariyanethiran cannot win due to electoral realities.
  • Frustration stems from past election promises by Tamil political leadership yielding little for Tamils, despite bloc voting.

Post-Civil War Challenges

  • Since the end of the civil war in 2009, Tamils have faced unresolved issues: land grabs, unknown whereabouts of missing persons, and the absence of a political solution.
  • The Tamil community remains divided, with parties weakened and fragmented.

Leadership Confusion

  • Major Tamil political groups like the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) are split, with different members backing different candidates, confusing voters.
  • Youth feel disillusioned by the lack of unity and ongoing discriminatory policies.

About Tamil National Alliance (TNA):

  • Formed in October 2001 by moderate Tamil nationalist parties and former militant groups.
  • Represents Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority (about 10% of the population).
  • Initially supported the creation of an autonomous Tamil state (Tamil Eelam).
  • TNA supported negotiations with the LTTE during the civil war.

13th Amendment:

  • A legislation meant to devolve powers to nine Tamil provinces, passed after the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987.
  • Subjects like education, health, and land were devolved, but police powers were withheld.
  • The TNA rejected President Wickremesinghe’s offer to implement the 13th Amendment without police powers.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times