NFF recognised, but not contesting poll

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The National Freedom Front (NFF) yesterday announced that it would not contest the upcoming Provincial Council Elections in Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces.

Apart from the NFF, the Deshapremi Jathika Peramuna was also recognised as a political party yesterday by the Elections Commissioner as per Section 7(4) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981 as amended by Act No. 29 of 1988.

The Party was recognised by the Polls Commissioner yesterday, but General Secretary Nandana Goonetilake said the earlier decision of not contesting the election would remain as the party has a problem with the election symbol.

The NFF also had less than 24 hours to file nominations as the deadline is 12 noon today.

NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa said it was creditable that his party could already hold its first public rally despite impediments posed by the JVP.

Moves are under way by the NFF to recruit one million new members as part of widening the party base, he said. He urged the Government to bring to book those responsible for assaulting journalists.

The recent victories of the Security Forces were appreciated by the party leadership. “The area which was captured was identified even by some veteran Security Forces officers as an area that couldn’t be captured. However the Security Forces could overcome that fallacy,” Weerawansa said.