The Tamil National alliance has dropped its demand for an independent state for the Tamil people, AFP reported.

The TNA is ready to accept regional self-rule, said the Tamil party alliance's manifesto for the April 08 general election.

The alliance said it would accept a "federal structure" in the north and the east with power over land, finance, and law and order.

Since its inception in 2001, the TNA has acted as a proxy for the LTTE until its military defeat last year.

It had 22 members in the outgoing 225-seat Parliament.