by Dasun Edirisinghe

Following the collapse of its talks with the UNF to form a common Opposition alliance to contest the forthcoming parliamentary polls, the JVP yesterday said that it would go it alone under the leadership of General (retd) Sarath Fonseka.

Sources said the JVP would field candidates on the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) ticket.

JVP Propaganda Secretary would function as the General Secretary of DNA, sources said. Its symbol would be ‘trophy’ sources said, while accusing the UNP of having spurned an opportunity to form broadest possible alliance to fight the government. The UNP-led United National Front (UNF) will contest under the Elephant symbol.

The JVP publicly declared that it would contest along with the UNP if it abandoned the ‘elephant’ symbol to pave way for all political parties and groups involved in Fonseka’s campaign to remain together.

Sources said that former Colombo District UPFA parliamentarian Arjuna Ranatunga and some parties involved in Fonseka’s presidential would join the DNA.

The JVP was making a determined bid to win over former Matara District MP Mangala Samaraweera, but in vain. Samaraweera has decided to contest on the UNF ticket.

Political sources said that both the SLMC and Western People’s Front led by Mano Ganeshan would throw in their lot with the UNP.