While the UNP & JVP Finalizing their Lists, UPFA Ready to Hand-over its Nominations

The People’s Liberation Front which is known as JVP-led Democratic National Alliance (DNA) says that they still wait for a positive response from the main opposition; United National Party to contest together for the general elections which is due on April 08.

“UNP’s decision to go with the ‘elephant” symbol at the general elections is an ‘unjustifiable’ decision and contesting the forthcoming parliamentary polls as the common Opposition is the best option, if the UNP wants to see an end of the present regime’s ‘authoritarian’ rule”, JVP’s propaganda secretary Vijitha Herath said.

The UNP has already decided to contest the general elections as the United National Front (UNF) with the “elephant’ symbol. Party’s General Secretary Thissa Atthanayake had revealed the media that 90 percents works of preparing the nominations lists of UNF have already been finished by Monday (February 22).

JVP’s former MP said that newly formed DNA will contest in all the 22 electoral districts, including Jaffna, Vanni, Trincomalee and Batticaloa and he also added that politicians like Rauff Hakeem, Mano Ganeshan and Arjuna Ranathunga would be with the DNA.

Herath further added that continuation of the common opposition at the general elections was the wish of those who had exercised their franchise in support of Fonseka at the presidential election. “And it was the wish of General Fonseka too”, he added.

Meanwhile, the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance yesterday handed over its nominations papers for districts namely Gampaha and Hambantota. UPFA’s Gampaha distrct team is led by former parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa and the Hambantota district team is led by former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.

UPFA’s General Secretary Minister Susil Premajayantha said that they have finalized the lists for all the districts and districts leaders will hand over the nomination papers on auspicious time. “We have a best mixture of candidates as we had never before”, the Minister said. He further added that the Freedom Alliance has planned to go to Anuradhapura sacred city with all the candidates on February 27 and begin the publicity campaign after having blessings from the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi.

Janasetha Peramuna led by Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathana thera had also handed over their nomination papers for several districts yesterday. Election Secretariat also said that a number of independent groups have already presented their lists for several districts.
Accepting of the nominations will close on Friday (February 26).

- Asian Tribune -