evidence: The discussion had then shifted towards the alliance symbol and MPs Vajira Abeywardena and Palitha Range Bandara had noted that the UNP’s participation at the upcoming general election was of great importance and the party should therefore contest under the "elephant" symbol. [...] Thus commenced the tug-o-war on the symbol of the proposed alliance. The Wickremesinghe faction, while opposing the "heart" [...] When the discussion was again stuck on the symbol issue and whether the alliance should contest under the "elephant" or"heart", Karunanayake had stepped in and offered the symbol of a political party affiliated to him – the New Democratic Front (NDF), of which the symbol is the "swan".