SLFP sources confirmed that the discussion President Maithripala Sirisena had with the SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and SLPP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa yesterday (28) had not reached finality and the SLFP’s stance would be announced within the next few days, after further discussions.
The SLFP parliamentary group has already presented a set of proposals, including the symbol of the new political alliance which the President had discussed with the SLPP representatives at yesterday’s meeting, SLFP media spokesman MP Weerakumara Dissanayaka told the Sunday Observer.
SLFP is of the firm stance that it cannot agree to form a political alliance with the SLPP if the latter does not agree to change the symbol. In such an instance, the SLFP would field its own candidate for the upcoming Presidential election.
SLPP Media Spokesman MP Keheliya Rambukwella told the Sunday Observer that it was a private discussion held between the President and the SLPP yesterday. It also led to the basic principle of bringing all progressive left parties together. Therefore, the President and the SLPP had some fruitful discussion. Asked whether both parties have reached final consensus on the symbol of the political alliance, MP Rambukwella said that was another matter discussed at yesterday’s meeting but there was no finality and it is an ongoing process.
There were several other key issues which were discussed at yesterday’s meeting, he said.
He said it is understood by both parties that the progressive left should be together to fight against the ‘common enemy’, the UNP.
“In that process, we have certain issues and subjects that are being discussed. Our final target is to make sure that the progressive left group works together to fight with the UNP. Therefore, it will be a continuous process,” he said.