SLFP admits that PM has failed win the minority's support

Post and Telecommunication minister DM Jayaratne said although the PM has already won the support of over 14 political parties, the minorities are yet to decide their stand in the November 17 elections.

Among the minorities, he said, three Muslim political parties have already pledged their support to PM Rajapakse.

No TNA candidate

The minister however admitted the SLFP presidential candidate has failed to win the support from the major minority, the Tamils, whose support is considered to be crucial to win the elections.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), a party that supports Tamil Tigers, said the party has already ruled out fielding their own candidate.

We are not in a hurry to decide who to support   TNA MP Raviraj

"We are not in a hurry to decide who to support", TNA parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraraj told BBC Sandeshaya (bbcsinhala.com).

He said there was a possibility of SLFP fielding a new candidate replacing Rajapkase and the TNA, then, might come to a final decision.

The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) led by Minister Arumugam Thondaman has also yet to announce the party's position.