Tamil Progressive Alliance

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-GeneralA. Lawrence
LeaderMano Ganesan
Deputy LeaderPalani Digambaran
Velusami Radhakrishnan
Founded3 June 2015 (2015-06-03)

The 1.6 million Tamils, mostly Sri Lankan Tamils, living in the Northern and Eastern provinces are represented by the Tamil National Alliance which is not active outside the two provinces.

History

On 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]

See also
  • Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka

References
  1. "Tamil parties forms new alliance". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 3 June 2015. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015.
  2. Gunawardana, Chamodi (4 June 2015). "Up-country political parties form Tamil Progressive Alliance". Daily FT.
  3. Balachandran, P. K. (3 June 2015). "Indian Origin Tamil Parties Band to Fight for Political Rights". The New Indian Express.
  4. Pothmulla, Lahiru (3 June 2015). "Video: DPF, UPF, WNC form new political alliance". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
  5. Ramakrishnan, T. (4 June 2015). "Political formation for Indian Tamils launched". The Hindu.
  6. Ariyawansha, Niranjala (4 June 2015). "New alliance of Tamil parties formed". Ceylon Today.
  7. "DPF, NUW, UPF to ally with UNP". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 5 June 2015.
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