The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs S. Sritharan and Mavai Senathirajah held a campaign rally in Kilinochchi on Monday, urging locals to come out and cast their vote.

The rally took place at the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi's Kilinochchi office.

"We are confronted with the most important presidential election in Sri Lanka in a few days time. The TNA has been meeting with its partner parties, officials, supporters, academics in civil societies to discuss the decision that should be taken by TNA that represents Tamil people. Our Leader R Sampanthan has announced the party's decision at the right time. On the basis of that, we are involved in campaigning activities to back Common candidate, Maithri and to request Tamil people to vote for his party's symbol Swan," Mavai told voters.

"Based on the lessons learnt from the past, and considering the sorrow and pain the Tamil people faced during Mahinda's regime, it is important that we use our votes as a weapon for the defeat of Mahinda Rajapakshe's brutal regime. If we boycott this election, we will bear a historical stain for supporting the authoritarian Mahinda Rajapaksa indirectly, hence it is important that we vote for Maithripala Srisena's symbol Swan," he added.

Related article: TNA begins campaigning for Maithri in Batticaloa (02 Jan 2015)

Last month, the TNA announced its decision to endorse the common opposition's presidential candidate, Maithripala Sirisena, on January 8.

The decision has however, sparked criticism from within the party, with three TNA councillors in the Northern Province, including widely popular Ananthy Sasitharan, as well as the ITAK youth wing leader stating that they would not be voting for either candidate as both have failed to address the Tamil people's concerns.

Related articles:

Maithri should face justice at UN, I cannot endorse him - Ananthy Sasitharan (03 Jan 2015)

Second NPC councillor refuses to endorse Maithri (01 Jan 2015)

'I cannot vote against my conscience' – Ananthy Sasitharan (31 Dec 2014)