R Sampanthan is to be replaced as the leader of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) during the party convention from September 6-8, local media reported.

Jaffna District Parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah is tipped to become the new leader of the party. He is 71 years old while Sampanthan is 81.

Sampanthan will however continue as the leader of the Tamil National Alliance. Media reports citing the leadership of the party has said that a decision on Sampanthan’s continuing leadership of the TNA will be taken when the TNA is registered as a separate political party.

Although TNA was formed a decade ago by amalgamating several political parties, it was never registered as a party. Therefore, the TNA contests elections in the ITAK label. ITAK is the largest party in the TNA.