SLMC to contest three PCs alone

by P. Krishnaswamy

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), a constituent partner of the UPFA will contest the September 21 polls to the three Provincial Councils independently under its ‘tree’ symbol. Discussions are under way to pick prospective candidates and chief ministerial candidates, the party’s General Secretary M.T. Hassan Ali MP told the Sunday Observer.

The polling districts of the three PCs where they will field candidates and their names will be announced within the next two weeks, he said.

The SLMC has not entered into any polls agreement with any political party, he said.

The Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) will contest the Central PC elections along with the Government in the Nuwara Eliya district and contest independently in the Matale and Kandy districts taking into account the ethnic percentage of upcountry Tamils in the districts, CWC President and Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam said.

They have presented this proposal to the Government and held discussions in this connection with Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, he said. They will hold more discussions before taking a final decision on the matter, he said.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) registered with the Commissioner of Elections as Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) will contest the Northern PC and the names of candidates, including the chief ministerial candidate, will be announced after July 12, its General Secretary Mavai Senadhirajah MP said.

Democratic People’s Front (DPF) leader Mano Ganeshan told the Sunday Observer that although his party has no polls alliance with the TNA it will support them at the Northern PC polls.

The DPF will field candidates in the Central Province along with the UNP or contest independently, he said adding that a final decision on the matter will be taken soon.