The National Freedom Front (NFF), the breakaway faction of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), and the Thamil Makkal Vidudalai Pulligal (TMVP) have formed a political alliance to contest future elections together and cooperate in other matters.
The NFF, led by JVP dissident Wimal Weerawansa, and TMVP leader and Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrankanthan agreed on June 28 to the formation of the alliance after talks at the NFF office in Battaramulla.
"We have the power in provincial level, the NFF have power in Parliament. We joined hands to march ahead in the democratic process. Today, the East is experiencing the dividends of democracy and we are happy to cooperate with the NFF to further the democratic cause," Chandrakanthan told press immediately after the meeting, reported The Island newspaper.
Chandrakanthan told The Sunday Times that in future elections the two sides will contest together and that further discussions will be held between the two sides on political co-operation. “It may be provincial elections or parliamentary elections that we contest together,” he said.
"This is the first of a series of talks between our two parties in seeking a political alliance. We are so happy that the first round was very successful. We would meet again and would conduct several rounds of talks aiming at political cooperation. Both parties agreed to further strengthen our ties," Weerawansa said.
The NFF was represented by Wimal Weerawansa, NFF General Secretary MP Nandana Gunatilake, MPs Anjan Umma, Mohommed Musammil, Central Committee member Raja Gunaratne, and NFF National Organizer Kamal Deshapriya. The TMVP delegation comprised CM Chandrakanthan, TMVP Coordinating Secretary Azad Moulana and CM’s interpreter G. Rahul.
Weerawansa at the end of the talks pinned a miniature national flag on Chandrakanthan’s shirt and said: "This is our present."
Chandrakanthan said Weerawansa, during the run up to eastern provincial council elections last month, had defended his party’s position of continuing to carry arms and contest elections.
“We have an obligation to support his party,” he added.
Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, said they also hoped to have discussions with other parties who wished to join this alliance.
NFF General Secretary Nandana Gunatillake said the cooperation with the TMVP would help to establish democracy in the east while the two sides would work together in future elections.
Gunatillake said that since the TMVP had entered the political mainstream, the NFF had discussed ways and means of helping the TMVP to develop the east.
“All parties should understand our position. We expect people to understand the reality,” Chandrakanthan said in response to a question as to why TMVP members continue to carry weapons.
