All Ceylon Tamil Congress MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to ensure that the state assembly reaffirms its 2013 resolution recognizing the genocide against Sri Lankan Tamils and demanding an international criminal investigation.

In a statement issued on May 10, Ponnambalam congratulated Vijay on his appointment as Chief Minister following the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, and urged him to demonstrate continuity in Tamil Nadu’s stance on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue.

He noted that since 2009, Sri Lankan Tamils have annually commemorated May 18 as “Mullivaikkal Genocide Day,” gathering in large numbers to remember those killed. In 2013, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution declaring that genocide had been committed against Sri Lankan Tamils and calling for international accountability.

Ponnambalam said that although Vijay’s party was not in existence at that time, his government now has the opportunity to send a strong message by reaffirming the same position during the opening session of the Assembly this May.

“Such a move will show that Tamil Nadu maintains a consistent and determined stance on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue. It will strengthen the demand for an international criminal investigation and secure for you an enduring place in the hearts of Sri Lankan Tamils worldwide,” Ponnambalam stated.

The appeal was made in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Vijay, underscoring the expectation that Tamil Nadu’s new leadership will continue to support justice for Sri Lankan Tamils. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has slammed the slander campaign against Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Harini Amarasuriya. 

In a statement on social media, MP Ponnambalam acknowledged that he and his party, the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), have some very serious policy differences with Harini Amarasuriya not only in her capacity as Prime Minister and a leading member of her party but also as the education minister. 

“We certainly don’t associate ourselves with the completely unacceptable and condemnable slander campaign that has been orchestrated against her,” he clarified.

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Harini Amarasuriya has become the target of a smear campaign following the inclusion of an inappropriate website in the English Grade 06 module prepared by the Ministry of Education under the government’s education reform. (Newswire)

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Leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam who was arrested on charges of election law violation has been released on bail. 

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thlduwa told Newswire that Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam was in Nelliady, Jaffna when he was taken into Police custody yesterday. 

He further said that the politician was arrested for his involvement in the distribution of leaflets for the upcoming General Election.

Stating that as per Sri Lanka’s election regulations, candidates themselves cannot take part in such campaigning, he said Ponnambalam was found to be involved in the distribution of leaflets.

The Police Spokesman added that Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam was initially detained and later released on bail. (Newswire)

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Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has been arrested at his residence in Colombo today.

The Police Spokesperson stated that MP Ponnambalam was arrested on charges of having obstructed the duties of a group of Police officers.

According to reports, he is said to have been apprehended in Colombo by a team from the Kilinichchi, Maruthankerny Police.

The arrest comes after the Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court issued an overseas travel ban on the MP yesterday. 

Taking to Twitter yesterday, MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam confirmed that the Colpetty Police had visited his house in Colombo to serve written information to him in Sinhala.

“I refused to accept it as I can’t read or write Sinhala. They subsequently read it to me in Sinhala saying that all they needed to do was to inform me,” he said.

The MP further stated that the Police had informed him that he is expected to produce himself at the Maruthankerny Police Station at 10.00 am on Thursday, 08th June 2023. (NewsWire)

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An overseas travel ban has been imposed on the Chairman of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.

The Police Spokesman stated that the travel ban was issued by the Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court today.

Commenting on the matter, MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam stated that the Colpetty Police visited his house in Colombo today to serve written information to him in Sinhala.

“I refused to accept it as I can’t read or write Sinhala. They subsequently read it to me in Sinhala saying that all they needed to do was to inform me,” he said in a Twitter message.

The MP further stated that the Police had informed him that he is expected to produce himself at the Maruthenkerni Police station at 10.00 am on Thursday, 08th June 2023.

“The police have made an application to the Kilinochchi Magistrate to ban my foreign travel until I produce myself to the Maruthenkerni Police,” MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam said.

The MP added that the Magistrate has prohibited his foreign travel until a statement is made to the said Police station. (NewsWire)

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