Disillusioned by the decision of SLMC to team up with the ruling UPFA, some Muslim activists have now decided to join hands with the TNA to form a strong lobby against the government.

TNA National List MP M.A. Sumanthiran told the Daily Mirror yesterday that there were requests from the Muslim community to field their candidates on the TNA’s ticket.“I am now in Kalmunai. We will definitely field some Muslim candidates,” he said.

At this election, he said, the TNA would seek a mandate to ensure the rights of Tamil speaking people. “We will ask for the endorsement of our long standing policies for the rights of our people,” he said.

In 2008, the TNA nominated R.M. Imam, a Muslim, as its National List MP to fill the vacancy created after M.K. Eelaventhan lost his seat for being absent in Parliament for more than three months without leave approval.

Saturday’s meeting of the SLMC high command was tense with arguments and counter arguments over the decision to contest with the government. Some members were unhappy over the decision to join hands with the UPFA.

The SLMC contested on the UNP ticket at the 2008 provincial council election. However, the TNA did not contest the election at that time.

Most parties have almost finalized nomination lists for the election. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said his party would file nomination papers on July 18 and 19.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka