New Peacock alliance formed

A new political alliance United People’s Alliance (UPA) formed by All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by Rishad Bathiudeen and United Peace Alliance led by former Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) stalwart Hasan Ali, would contest at the upcoming Local Government elections under peacock symbol, party leaders said yesterday.

Mr. Bathiudeen told a media briefing that the new alliance would contest the local councils in the East separately.

“Our party and United Peace Alliance will contest the elections under the new alliance in the East, but our party is currently having discussions with the United National Front to contest in the rest of the areas including the Colombo Municipal Council together. “We will contest with the UNF if we get the number of slots we have asked for. However, we will contest alone if the talks failed,” he said.

Leader of the United Peace Our party and United Peace Alliance will contest the elections under the new alliance in the East, but our party is currently having discussions with the United National Front to contest in the rest of the areas including the Colombo Municipal Council together Alliance Hasan Ali said the intention of UPA was to take forward the policies of the late SLMC leader M. H. M. Ashraff which was based on coexistence with all ethnic and religious groups. We will not allow the implementation of any electoral system which affects our people. This is why we did not vote for the Local Government Elections (Amendment) Bill on Saturday

The new alliance had called for the retaining of Executive Presidency, recognising that the Muslims in this country have their own political aspirations and the de-merger of North and East.

The new alliance has also called for the devolution of power at the local government level in addition to Provincial level and to preserve equal rights for all religions.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bathiudeen said the electoral system in the local government level and in the national level should address the aspirations of all people.

“We will not allow the implementation of any electoral system which affects our people. This is why we did not vote for the Local Government Elections (Amendment) Bill on Saturday,” he added.