Partners negotiating with Govt. Wither DNA?

A few political parties presently under the umbrella alliance of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) headed by Sarath Fonseka are negotiating with the government to contest the upcoming Local Government elections as coalition partners of the ruling party, political sources say.

Three political parties have been highlighted as being involved in these discussions. The Nava Sihala Urumaya headed by former Sri Lanka Air Force personnel Sarath Manamendra, another party and a Tamil political party are said to be the main negotiators, according to sources.

The DNA was formed after the alliance the New Democratic Front (NDF) formed to contest the last Presidential poll with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) being the main coalition party failed in the attempt.

The other parties within the alliance including the main opposition United National Party (UNP) withdrew from the NDF to contest the General Elections either alone or with other alliances.

Now it remains to be seen where the DNA would head, as it has already stated that it would not contest the Local Government elections. The JVP, the main architect of the NDF has decided to contest the LG polls on its own, while Mangala Samaraweera has already joined the UNP.

The DNA is being spearheaded by Tiran Alles and former cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga, while its leader Sarath Fonseka is still in prison.