The National Freedom Front (NFF), led by Minister Wimal Weerawansa, has conducted an internal discussion to contest the upcoming Provincial Council election separately, informed political sources said.

The discussion comes against the backdrop of strained relations between the SLPP's Basil Rajapaksa group and Minister Wimal Weerawansa's faction in the ruling camp.

Commenting on the move, a senior NFF spokesman said a final decision would be made after carefully assessing the pros and cons of the move.

He said there was a deliberate attempt to defeat the candidates fielded by the National Freedom Front at the last Parliamentary election. Niroshan Premaratne and Padma Udaya Shantha Gunasekera, two candidates fielded by the NFF, could not secure their seats at the last Parliamentary election.

At present, the NFF has six MPs in Parliament and they are expected to lead the party's campaign at the upcoming Provincial Council election.