UNF partner to contest separately

Indika Polkotuwa and Asela Kuruluwansa

National Defence Front leader Ashoka Suraweera who was placed fourth at the last Presidential Election told the Daily News yesterday that his political party aligned with the UNP-led National Freedom Front would withdraw from it and that he would be contesting the election as a candidate without affiliation to any other party.

He said he had a voter base and was therefore contesting the Presidential poll.

The UNF at present had 14 constituent political parties but the NDF was a party to that coalition but the Central Committee of the party would make the decision about the Presidential poll next week, he noted.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake last week in Kandy said the UNF that was backing Sarath Fonseka comprised 14 political parties but with the pull out announced by NDF leader, it would now be a coalition of 13 political parties.