TNA left out in the cold

• Sampanthan says no overtures from UNP thus far
• Says will support any efforts by Government to resolve Tamil national issue

By Skandha Gunasekara

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday categorically denied they would be joining forces with the United National Party (UNP) to form a government.

Leader of the TNA, MP R. Sampanthan, told the Daily FT that no one had approached the party to form an alliance.

“No one has approached us regarding an alliance for forming a government. If they do, then we will consider the matter and take a decision,” he said.

He said that the people had given a mandate and that it must be respected.

“The people have given a clear message at the LG polls opposing the incumbent Government. We must respect the people’s mandate,”

Meanwhile, TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian and TNA Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran said the party would support measures taken by the Government to address the Tamil issue.

“Whatever Government that is formed, we will support any efforts by them to resolve the Tamil national problem,” the TNA Spokesman said.

With rumours swirling about attempts by the UNP to form a government independent of the SLFP, reports of the UNP seeking TNA support to show a majority had also surfaced. 

Following a crushing defeat at the Local Government election on Saturday, the Government was in turmoil over whether to continue as a coalition government or whether to end the partnership between the UNP and SLFP, with both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe meeting on several occasions yesterday.

While the current 106 UNP MPs are enough to form a minority UNP Government, to achieve a simple majority in Parliament the UNP needs an additional eight MPs in their camp.