Since the conclusion of the Northern Provincial Council elections, the TNA leadership's selection of ministerial positions for the NPC has proved a contentious topic. Much of the controversy has centred around Ananthy Sasitharan - a widely popular, outspoken, openly Tamil nationalist candidate, who also happens to be the only female candidate to win a seat on the council - with many reports suggesting the leadership are trying to sideline her.

Both local and international observers commented that the positions being considered for Sasitharan, who secured the second highest number of preferential votes in the election, did not fairly reflect her high standing among the Tamil electorate. (See article by Amanda Hodge for The Australian).

In an official response in Tamil, released on Tuesday, Ananthy Sasitharan stood firm on her election campaign, whilst dismissing any notion that she was interested in fighting for positions, and rejected allegations that she herself had caused the controversy.

See here for Ananthy Sasitharan’s full statement in Tamil. Translation in English below: 

“I cannot express enough gratitude to all that cast their vote for me in the recent Northern Provincial Council elections and secured for me the second highest number of preferential votes after the Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran.

I assure you all that I will not budge an inch from the expectations with which you voted for me.

Some media outlets with certain intentions have been circulating distorted stories alleging, that I, Ananthy Sasitharan, have been clamouring for a ministerial position in the Northern Provincial Council.

I reject these distortions and allegations as I have never considered a ministerial position on the Northern Provincial Council to be the only possible way to serve our people.

If being a member of the Northern Provincial Council proves to be an obstacle in being of service to and being a voice to our war-scarred people, then I am willing to pass up that position also.

Mindful of the numerous threats and attempts on my life during the election period, I have requested some sort of security from the leader of my party.

We were bestowed victory by the people for an important cause, and if we quarrel over such things as ministerial positions, we will fatigue and alienate those very same people.

Therefore I wish to repeat that the ability to serve the people is not tied to a ministerial position.

As a woman and as a mother that bears the scars of war, I wish to again thank all the women’s organisations that gave me their support during the elections.

I wholeheartedly appreciate the sentiment of those that wished to see a female minister and I am sure that many may have put forward the suggestion to the leadership of the [TNA].

However I wish to reiterate that I look beyond dreams of seats and positions, and that my only ambition is to be of service to my people.”

See also Tamil Guardian’s interview with Ananthy Sasitharan in the run up to the election.