Fonseka to contest Parliamentary polls

Defeated Opposition Presidential candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka, currently under army custody, will lead the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) in the April 8 parliamentary polls and contest from capital Colombo.

"Gen Fonseka will head the (JVP-led) Democratic National Alliance and will contest from Colombo district," senior JVP leader Vijitha Herath told PTI.

59-year-old Fonseka was arrested on February eight for allegedly planning a coup against the government while he was army chief.

Anoma, the wife of Fonseka told reporters, that a decision has been taken on issue and the former army chief will be heading the JVP-led alliance and contest from Colombo district.

However, it remains to be seen whether Fonseka will be permitted to contest elections.

Asked whether his alliance was open to talks with the United National Front (UNF) headed by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Herath said: "We are still open for discussions but the previous attempts had failed."

"Not that we have not held discussions with the United National Party and their alliance partners. But so far it has failed. But we are open to further discussions if invited by them," Herath said in reply to a question.

He said the DNA will contest under the Trophy symbol. Former Sri Lanka Freedom Party MP and deputy minister Arjuna Ranatunga also has combined forces with the DNA and will be contesting under the leadership of General Fonseka.

The UNF which includes the single-member parties of Mangala Samaraweera's SLFP-Mahajana wing and Mano Ganeshan's Democratic People's Front and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress led by Rauf Hakeem has finalised the seats for its candidates except for the Batticaloa and Nuwara Eliya districts, sources said.