Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who secured the highest number of preferential votes in Batticaloa at Sri Lanka’s parliamentary polls last week, paid tribute to his supporters and said the Tamil people’s national struggle will continue.
“This is not just my victory,” said Rasamanickam. “This victory belongs to the entire population of the North and East.”
“Because while the whole country was voting for AKD, the people of Batticaloa have given me the largest number of preferential votes,” he continued referencing the rising support for the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake in other parts of the island.
Rasamanickam highlighted the broader significance of his win, emphasizing the enduring political reach of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK).
“This is a message for the whole of the North-East,” he added. “ITAK is the only Tamil party to have won representation from all eight electorates in the North and East. Our party is still the largest Tamil party in the island, with the third highest number of seats in Sri Lanka’s parliament.
“Therefore, the Tamil people’s Tamil national struggle will continue.”
The victory, he said, was built on the tireless efforts of his supporters, to whom he expressed gratitude. “I thank the people who have campaigned for me, from Kathiraveli to Thuraineelaavanai, from Paduvankarai to Eluvankarai.”
Rasamanickam also assured that his leadership would prioritize inclusivity and the development of the region. “We are not the enemies of anyone. We will work for a bright future for the people of Batticaloa and all people of the north and east,” he declared.
Rasamanickam’s performance was the highest number of preferential votes secured by a Tamil politician at last week’s polls.