The JVP formed a new political front called the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) under the leadership of Gen. Sarath Fonseka to contest the upcoming general election, K.D. Lal Kantha said yesterday.

The new alliance formed under the Trophy symbol was expected to be backed by SLFP MP Arjuna Ranatunga and SLFP (Mahajana Wing) General Secretary Tiran Alles.

Vijtha Herath has been appointed as the General Secretary of the new alliance.Lal Kantha said the party would hand over nominations for the elections on February 25 and 26. He said that JVP took the decision because the UNP had declined to back down from its stand to contest the poll set for April 8, under its elephant symbol.  The new alliance has been formed by renaming an existing party since a political party cannot be registered when there is an election s declared.

After the Presidential Election, the JVP insisted that all the parties that supported the candidacy of Gen. Fonseka should stand together under the swan symbol and continue to defeat the present government. However, the UNP Working Committee which met recently took a unanimous decision to retain its elephant symbol for this election.

Later, the SLMC, the Democratic People’s Front led by MP Mano Ganeshan and SLFP (Mahajana Wing) leader Mangala Samaraweera also agreed to contest under the elephant symbol along with the UNP.

However, according to sources, the JVP has still kept space open to go for the poll under the swan symbol if the UNP backtracks from their stand even at this last moment.

“We have kept options open for the UNP. Otherwise, we will form this alternative alliance under the Trophy symbol,” a JVP source said.

Meanwhile, Tiran Alles said that it was unfair for them to do politics for the sake of a political party ‘symbol’ when Gen. Fonseka was in military custody.

“I am mostly with a person when he or she is in trouble. I got close to Mr. Samaraweera when he was sacked from the Cabinet in 2007 only. Otherwise, I could have been with the President. I suffered so much during the last three years because I stood by my principles,” he said. 

Asked whether he would join the alterative alliance, he did not give a direct reply. However, he noted that he was even ready to quit politics on his principles.

Ranil to contest in Colombo

By Yohan Perera and Gandhaya Senanayake

The United National Front (UNF) would contest the General Election under the Elephant symbol and UNP leader Ranil Wickremasighe would contest from the Colombo District, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka told Daily Mirror yesterday.

The Deputy Leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya will contest in Gampaha District, he said. Daily Mirror also learns that SLFP(M) Leader Mangala Samaraweera is also expected to contest the elections from the Matara District  It was also reported that the UNP is currently discussing with other parties of the UNF including the Democratic People’s Front, Nawa Sihala Urumaya and others.

According to sources the Democratic People’s Front (DPF) led by Mano Ganeshan is scheduled to meet opposition Leader today to take the final decision. According to DPF the main issue is the number of slots in the districts which the party is contesting.

Ceylon Workers Alliance, which is also a member of the UNF is also negotiating with the UNP and had asked for a slot in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Alliance Secretery S. Sathasivam told Daily Mirror that the party had not got the green light for the party as well. The party is reported to be weighing the possibility of contesting alone if the demands are not met.

Discussions are also being held to finalize the names of those who are coming from the national list.