The National Freedom Front (NFF), the break away faction of the JVP, and the Thamil Makkal Vidudalai Pulligal (TMVP) have formed a political alliance to contest future elections together and cooporate in other matters.
The NFF led by JVP dissident Wimal Weerawansa and TMVP leader and Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrankanthan yesterday agreed on the formation of the alliance after talks at the NFF office in Battaramulla.
Mr. Chandrakanthan told The Sunday Times that in future elections the two sides will contest together and that further discussions will be held between the two sides on political co-operation. “It may be provincial elections or parliamentary elections that we contest together,” he said.
Mr. Chandrakanthan said Mr. Weerawansa, during the runup to eastern provincial council elections last month, had defended his party’s position of continuing to carry arms and contest elections. “We have an obligation to support his party,” he added.
Mr. Chandrakanthan also known as Pillayan said they also hoped to have discussions with other parties which wished join this alliance.
NFF General Secretary Nandana Gunatillake said the cooperation with the TMVP would help to establish democracy in the east while the two sides would work together in future elections.
Mr. Gunatillake said that since the TMVP had entered the political mainstream, the NFF had discussed ways and means of helping the TMVP to develop the east. “All parties should understand our position. We expect people to understand the reality,” Mr. Chandrakanthan said in response to a question as to why TMVP members continue to carry weapons. | 
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