The former chief minister of the Northern province stated his party was offered three ministerial posts in Sri Lanka’s cabinet, in exchange for the support of one of the leading candidates ahead of the island’s presidential elections on Saturday.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Wigneswaran said he was not backing any of the candidates in the polls.

“Somebody from one of these parties promised some benefits for us,” he said.

“I’ll say what it is - ministerships. Three ministerships will be given. And then we should support.” 

Though Wigneswaran did not name the party the offer came form, he went on to add,

“I laughed and said ‘Look, maybe other minorities in this country may be interested in your ministership, but the people in the Northern and Eastern provinces are not interested in ministerships.’”

The former Supreme Court Justice said that his party, the Tamil Makkal Kootani (TMK), would not be backing any of the candidates in the polls.

“We can’t distinguish between Sajith or Gotabaya or Anura Dissanayake or even Mr Jayasuriya,” he said of the leading candidates. “See they have to be looked as people who are contenders for the president… and we want somebody who is prepared to show understanding with regards to our request."

“Procedure would be on what basis are we going to support somebody. When both are not coming forward to even talk about the proposals, what are we expected to do? They are showing very little interest with regards to our proposals and our requests.”

His remarks last week came as the Tamil National Alliance announced it was backing Sajith Premadasa, despite his refusal to engage with demands put forward by the parties.

When asked about interest in the presidential election amongst the voters in the north, Wigneswaran said people were “absolutely uninterested”.

“Because they know that neither of the parties - the Sinhala parties - are prepared to give anything worthwhile to the Tamils,” he added. “So that is our view. Sometimes people try to impose the interest, in the sense they whip up the interest, so that might come up during the last few weeks. But as it is, most people are uninterested in the election.”

“We need to select a president for the whole country but if none of the presidential candidates are interested in our interests and our aspirations, then what are we expected to do? We are being isolated not by ourselves. We are being isolated by the Sinhala parties and their leaders.”