Nine parties contest in Trinco district

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 September 2000, 14:37 GMT]
Five political parties and an Independent Group today submitted their nomination papers to contest the Trincomalee electoral district during the forthcoming general elections.

They are: Peoples Alliance (PA) led by Mr.M.K.De. S.Gunawardene, Jathika Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led by K.Wimal Piyatissa, Eelam People Democratic Party (EPDP) led by Thangarasa Pushparajah, Peoples Freedom Front (PFF) led by W.D.Jayawardene and an Independent Group led by former Chairman of the Trincomalee Urban Council Mr.P.Sooriyamoorthy.

Nine recognized political parties and two independent groups have submitted their nomination papers to contest in the island elections.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Elections has instructed all District Returning Officers not to accept nomination papers on behalf of the 'Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchchi' (Ceylon Federal party) without the signature of its General Secretary Mr.Mavai Senathirajah.

The Commissioner of Elections Mr.Dayananda Dissanayake issued this instruction on representation made by Mr.R.Sampanthan, Secretary General of the Tamil united Liberation Front (TULF).

Mr.R.Sampanthan, Secretary General of the TULF brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Elections on Friday that nomination papers have been submitted in several electoral districts by unauthorized persons on behalf of the 'Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchchi' without the signature of party's General Secretary.

TULF sources said nominations have been filed in Vavuniya, Mattala and Kandy on behalf of 'Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchchi'.

'Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchchi' (Federal party) was founded in 1949 by Mr.S.J.V.Chelvanayakam, which became a major constituent party of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF).

The TULF was founded in 1972. The other two constituent parties of the TULF at that time of formation were All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC).