Unanimous support from SLMC:

Minority parties contest Eastern PC polls with UPFA

by P. Krishnaswamy

All four major minority political parties represented in the Eastern Provincial Council (PC) will contest the forthcoming polls in alliance with the UPFA. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) decided yesterday to join the alliance.

The other major minority party in the fray, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), led by Rajavarodhayam Sampanthan, did not contest the last PC polls.

While three of the UPFA allies - Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) led by ex-Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) led by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and the National Congress (NC) led by Minister A.L.M. Athaullah had confirmed their alliance.

The SLMC delegation led by Hakeem also confirmed its alliance, at a meeting on Friday evening presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and UPFA General Secretary Minister Susil Premajayanth were also present, according to party sources. Sources told the Sunday Observer that the SLMC hopes to field six candidates in the Ampara district, three each in the Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts, subject to the approval of the UPFA nomination board.

The party high command unanimously supported the alliance, the sources said.The SLMC represented by eight members in the PC, has also pledged its support to the ruling UPFA in the Sabaragamuwa and the North Central PC polls.