Anura loses Jaffna & Tamil Nationalism Wins!

The results of the 2025 Sri Lanka Local Government elections are in and the numbers speak volumes. Anura Kumara Dissanayake's National People's Power (NPP), which had been celebrating its performance in the North and East during the parliamentary elections just five months ago, has now suffered a dramatic collapse in support.

In the Jaffna District, the contrast is striking. During the November 2024 parliamentary elections, the NPP managed to secure 80,830 votes, largely due to a combination of inflated expectations, disproportionate media coverage, and a split in Tamil nationalist voting blocs. However, in this latest local government election, the party’s support has plummeted to just 56,615 votes — a staggering loss of 24,215 votes in less than half a year.

Meanwhile, Tamil nationalist parties have regained momentum and clarity in leadership.

The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has surged to 88,443 votes, an increase of 25,116 votes.

The All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) led by Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam has also grown significantly, securing 51,046 votes, a gain of 23,060.

This shift in numbers debunks the narrative that the Anura's NPP was gaining genuine grassroots support in Tamil regions. The party’s much-hyped performance in 2024 now appears to be nothing more than a political mirage, built on the temporary consolidation of pro-Sinhala party votes and a fragmented Tamil front — not on sincere engagement or ideological alignment with the Tamil people.

Over the past five months, Tamil nationalism has witnessed a significant reconfiguration and resurgence, particularly with the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) under the leadership of Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam. 

ACTC has successfully forged unity among various Tamil nationalist factions that had previously distanced themselves from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) due to M.A. Sumanthiran's self-centered and destructive politics, which ultimately dismantled the TNA.

By rebuilding a cohesive platform rooted in uncompromising nationalist values, ACTC has re-energized segments of the Tamil electorate who had felt politically displaced. This strategic consolidation has translated into a marked rise in support, particularly among younger, politically conscious Tamil voters seeking clarity and direction.

At the same time, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has proven its enduring strength, largely due to its robust grassroots machinery and long-standing local presence. While grappling with internal tensions and ideological criticism, ITAK’s cadre-based structure and community-level activism have allowed it to retain a solid voter base.

Together, the performance of ACTC and ITAK in the recent elections marks a major victory for Tamil nationalism, which has successfully reclaimed its central place within the Tamil political landscape. The results reflect not just electoral gains, but a broader reaffirmation that Tamil self-determination remains the defining political compass for the Tamil Nation.

This latest result reaffirms a crucial political truth: Tamil political aspirations cannot and will not be advanced through Sinhala-majoritarian coalitions or parties that fail to acknowledge the unique political identity and historical grievances of the Tamil Nation.

QOnce again, the electorate has shown that Tamil nationalism remains the enduring political current in the North and East. Attempts to dilute or override it — whether through populist appeals or short-term alliances — will ultimately be rejected.