The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPF; Tamil: தமிழ் முற்போக்கு கூட்டணி Tamiḻ Muṟpōkku Kūṭṭaṇi) is a Sri Lankan political alliance. It was formed in 2015 by the Democratic People's Front (DPF), National Union of Workers (NUW) and the Up-Country People's Front (UCPF) to represent the 1.5 million Tamils, mostly Indian Tamils, living outside the Northern and Eastern provinces.[1][2][3]
Tamil Progressive Alliance தமிழ் முற்போக்கு கூட்டணி | |
|---|---|
| Secretary-General | A. Lawrence |
| Leader | Mano Ganesan |
| Deputy Leader | Palani Digambaran Velusami Radhakrishnan |
| Founded | 3 June 2015 |
| Ideology | Indian Tamil interests |
| National affiliation | Samagi Jana Balawegaya |
| Parliament | 6 / 225 |
| Election symbol | |
Torch | |
History
editOn 3 June 2015 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mano Ganesan, Palani Digambaran and Velusami Radhakrishnan, leaders of the DPF, NUW and UPCF respectively, at the Taj Samudra hotel in Colombo.[1] Ganesan was appointed leader of the TPF whilst Digambaran and Radhakrishnan were appointed deputy leaders.[1][2] A. Lawrence, the secretary of the UCPF, was appointed general-secretary of the TPF.[4]
Although the alliance was focusing on issues affecting Tamil people, particularly Indian Tamils, it would also serve Sinhalese and Muslims.[2] The Ceylon Workers' Congress, the largest political party representing Indian Tamils was excluded from the alliance.[3] The alliance would not contest elections but would fight for the political rights of Tamils.[5][6]
On 5 June 2014 the three members of the alliance announced that they would contest the then upcoming 2015 Sri Lankan parliamentary election in alliance with the United National Party.[7]
Electoral history
edit| Election year | Votes | Vote % | Seats won | +/– | Result for the party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Part of UNFGG | 6 / 225
|
 6
|
Government | |
| 2020 | Part of SJB | 6 / 225
|
|
Opposition | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Tamil parties forms new alliance". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 3 June 2015. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015.
- ^ a b c Gunawardana, Chamodi (4 June 2015). "Up-country political parties form Tamil Progressive Alliance". Daily FT.
- ^ a b Balachandran, P. K. (3 June 2015). "Indian Origin Tamil Parties Band to Fight for Political Rights". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015.
- ^ Pothmulla, Lahiru (3 June 2015). "Video: DPF, UPF, WNC form new political alliance". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
- ^ Ramakrishnan, T. (4 June 2015). "Political formation for Indian Tamils launched". The Hindu.
- ^ Ariyawansha, Niranjala (4 June 2015). "New alliance of Tamil parties formed". Ceylon Today.
- ^ "DPF, NUW, UPF to ally with UNP". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 5 June 2015.
External links
edit- Tamil Progressive Alliance on Facebook
- Srinivasan, Meera (9 August 2020). "An alliance of Malayaha Tamil MPs that stood out". The Hindu.