Tamil Progressive Alliance

Political party in Sri Lanka

Tamil Progressive Alliance

தமிழ் முற்போக்கு கூட்டணி

Secretary-General| A. Lawrence
Leader| Mano Ganesan
Deputy Leaders| Palani Digambaran
Velusami Radhakrishnan
Founded| 3 June 2015 (9 years ago) (2015-06-03)
Ideology| Indian Tamil interests
National affiliation| Samagi Jana Balawegaya
Parliament|

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Election symbol
Torch

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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]

## History

[edit]

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]

## Electoral history

[edit]

Sri Lanka Parliamentary Elections  Election year  | Votes  | Vote %  | Seats won  | +/–  | Result for the party

|
|
|
|
|

2015 | Part of UNFGG |

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|  6  | Government
2020 | Part of SJB |

6 / 225

|  | Opposition
2024 |

3 / 225

|  3  | Opposition

## See also

[edit]

* Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Tamil parties forms new alliance". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 3 June 2015. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015.
2. ^ a b c Gunawardana, Chamodi (4 June 2015). "Up-country political parties form Tamil Progressive Alliance". Daily FT.
3. ^ a b Balachandran, P. K. (3 June 2015). "Indian Origin Tamil Parties Band to Fight for Political Rights". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015.
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.

## External links

[edit]

* Tamil Progressive Alliance on Facebook
* Srinivasan, Meera (9 August 2020). "An alliance of Malayaha Tamil MPs that stood out". The Hindu.

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Political parties in Sri Lanka

Major parties|

* NPP
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* Tamil Progressive Alliance
* Democratic People's Front
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* Up-Country People's Front

Third parties|

* Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi
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Former political parties|

* All Ceylon Islamic United Front
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* Aziz Democratic Workers Congress
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* Buddhist Republican Party
* Ceylon Labour Party
* Ceylon National Congress
* Jathika Vimukthi Peramuna
* Lanka Democratic Party
* Lanka Mahajana Sabha
* Lanka Sama Samaja Party (Revolutionary)
* People's Front of Liberation Tigers
* Sinhala Maha Sabha
* Sri Lanka Freedom Socialist Party
* Sri Lanka Sama Samaja Party
* United Lanka Congress
* Viplavakari Lanka Sama Samaja Party

Former political alliances|

* SLFP-led alliances
* Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (1956–1957)
* United Front (1968–1977)
* People's Alliance (1994–2004)
* United People's Freedom Alliance (2004–2019)
* Joint Opposition (2015–2018)
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* UNP-led alliances
* United National Front (2001–2020)

* Other
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* Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance (2019–2022)
* Tamil National Alliance

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