SLFP-SLPP talks on Budget vote inconclusive

 President Maithripala Sirisena

• UPFA parliamentary group meets under auspices of President Sirisena and Opp. Leader Rajapaksa
• Two sides to meet separately today to decide on how to vote in final Budget vote
• SLPP adamant to vote against Budget, SLFP on the fence
  
   

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Talks between the two factions within the main opposition United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) parliamentary group held last evening in Parliament failed to reach an agreement on how they would vote today in the final vote on the Appropriation Bill scheduled for today.

The group meeting was held in the Parliamentary complex jointly by President Maithripala Sirisena who leads the SLFP and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa who is the de facto leader of the SLPP.

UPFA lawmaker Dayasiri Jayasekara talking to media soon after the conclusion of the group meeting held the group of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs will meet separately to take a decision and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would take a call based on that decision before the vote is taken this evening.

It is learnt that the President Sirisena has highlighted the importance of building broad coalition between the SLFP and the SLPP in order to win the forthcoming Presidential Election. However, UPFA lawmaker Mahindananda Aluthgamage was adamant that they should vote against the Budget 2019. (AH)