49 parties, 282 independent groups in the fray, but only 13 of them secure parliamentary representation

By Yohan Perera

Only 12 recognised political parties and one independent group out of the 49 parties and one independent group out of 282 independent groups that were in the fray have managed to obtain representation in Parliament as per the results of this year’s General Election, according to the data put out by the Government Information Department.

The 12 political parties elected to Parliament are National People’s Power (NPP), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), New Democratic Front (NDF), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Sarvajana Balaya (SB), United National Party (UNP), Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), and Sri Lanka Labour Party Jaffna (SLLP). Independent Group 17 has also secured representation in Parliament.

Sarvajana Balaya which contested the General Election for the first time managed to obtain one seat on the National List. Second Generation led by Uvindu Wijeweera the son of late JVP founder Leader Rohana Wijeweera, Alliance for People’s Struggle which is led by Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), United Democratic Voice (UDV) which was led by Ranjan Ramanayake and Jana Setha Peramuna led by Venerable Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera failed to secure seats.