ITAK’s Mathivathani Elected Jaffna Mayor with Backing from EPDP and SJB

Vivekanandarajah Mathivathani of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has been elected as the new Mayor of the Jaffna Municipal Council with the backing of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

The EPDP, often criticized by the public as being anti-Tamil nationalist, and the SJB extended their support to Mathivathani, resulting in her securing the mayoral position. The Jaffna Municipal Council comprises 45 members.

In the recently concluded local government elections, ITAK secured 13 seats, the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) obtained 12 seats, the National People’s Power (NPP) won 10 seats, while both the EPDP and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) gained 4 seats each. The United National Party (UNP) and the SJB secured one seat each.

Mathivathani, representing ITAK, contested against Kanakaya Srikrishnakumar from ACTC. She was elected Mayor with the support of 19 council members, while Srikrishnakumar received backing from 16 members.

All 10 members of the National People’s Power (NPP) remained neutral. In this context, Vivekanandarajah Mathivathani, who was nominated by the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) for the position of Mayor, was elected. Emmanuel Dayalan was appointed as the Deputy Mayor.

Notably, last week, ITAK’s deputy leader visited the EPDP headquarters, Sridhar Theatre, and met with EPDP leader Douglas Devananda to request support for Mathivathani’s candidacy.

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