TDNA says eastern Chief Minister should be an ethnic Tamil

Leader of the Peoples Liberation Organisation for Tamil Ealam (PLOTE) told journalists in Batticaloa that a newly formed coalition, Tamil Democratic National Alliance (TDNA), will contest the elections with an alliance from the south.

The TDNA consists of PLOTE, EPRLF (Pathmanaba wing) and the TULF.

Government supporters

PLOTE leader Dharmalingam Siddarthan told the journalists that the TDNA will join hands with the United Socialist Alliance (USA) to contest the elections in Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts.

	President Rajapaksa's political allies are contesting with TDNA

The USA consists of Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), Sri Lanka Communist Party (CP), Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP), Democratic Left Front (DLF) and Dhesha Vimukthi Janatha Party (DVJP), political parties that support Rajapaksa administration.

The USA is a coalition that recognises Tamils right for autonomy and devolution of power, Mr. Siddharthan said.

In Ampara district, the USA is to contest independently not aligning with the ruling coalition or TDNA.

The TDNA demands that the chief Minister of the newly created eastern PC should be an ethnic Tamil.

Tamil Chief Minister

It is not a nationalistic demand, PLOTE leader said, but would recognise the Tamils' struggle that led to the creation of the PC system.

It will also help regain trust in the Tamil community in Sri Lanka that was damaged due to long-lasting civil war, the TDNA spokesman added.

	PLOTE says discussion with the EPDP are still continuing

Discussions are still going on with the Ealam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) led by Minister Douglas Devananda on joining the alliance but the EPDP is yet to come up with a favourable response, said Mr. Siddarthan.

The main political party representing Tamils in Sri Lanka, Tamil National Alliance (TNA), is boycotting the PC elections.

The Left Front (LF) that includes a former constituent party of the USA, Nawa Sama Samaja Party (NSSP), is also boycotting the polls.

The ruling coalition is contesting the polls together with the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), led by Pillayan.

Human rights groups and government supporters, including the TULF, has urged President Rajapaksa to disarm armed groups, including the TMVP, before the polls.