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Tamil Progressive Alliance தமிழ் முற்போக்கு கூட்டணி | |
|---|---|
| Secretary-General | A. Lawrence |
| Leader | Mano Ganesan |
| Deputy Leaders | Palani Digambaran Velusami Radhakrishnan |
| Founded | 3 June 2015 |
| Ideology | Indian Tamil interests |
| National affiliation | Samagi Jana Balawegaya |
| Parliament | 3 / 225 |
| Election symbol | |
Torch![]() | |
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]
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]
| Election year | Votes | Vote % | Seats won | +/– | Result for the party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Part of UNFGG | 6 / 225
|
Government | ||
| 2020 | Part of SJB | 6 / 225
|
Opposition | ||
| 2024 | 3 / 225
|
Opposition | |||