Fielding Presidential candidate only if coalition talks fail: SLFP

• Dayasiri says SLFP-SLPP talks will continue, decision to field a separate candidate only a backup plan 
• MR backs SLFP announcement, says he would have done the same 
• GR says confident SLFP will support him 

By Nuwan Senarathna 

The SLFP yesterday said even though they had announced plans to field a Presidential candidate, such a move was merely a contingency plan in case coalition talks with the SLPP failed. 

SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said he had informed the Election Commission that the Party’s Central Committee (CC) had decided to field a candidate for the upcoming Presidential election. However, this did not deter the SLPP from continuing its coalition talks with the SLFP with the two sides meeting at the Opposition Leader’s Office mid-day to iron out how to move forward.  Jayasekara said the decision to field a candidate was taken following a meeting with members of the Party as the Election Commission had requested to know SLFP’s stance. 

“It was a response to the Election Commission upon their request. That does not mean we will announce a Presidential candidate, but this is a precaution for if talks fail. As a political party, we do not want to take any risk at this time,” Jayasekara said. The SLFP’s unexpected decision was backed by Opposition Leader and SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, who said he would have taken the same call as a national party cannot refrain from fielding a candidate at a Presidential election. 

Rajapaksa, talking to media on the side-lines of an event held at Ape Gama, said SLFP’s decision to field a candidate will not affect coalition talks.

“If a political party says they will not announce a Presidential candidate, then that political party will meet its end soon after that. Therefore, this was a decision they had to take. If I was in that position, I would have done the same,” he said.

SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa also said he was confident that the SLFP would support him. “The discussion was successful. I joined for the discussion as the SLPP Presidential candidate. We have shared each other’s ideas, and I am confident the talks will continue smoothly,” Rajapaksa said.

Cordiality was displayed from both sides despite the SLFP curve ball announcement on Thursday with the SLFP holding discussions with both SLPP representatives and SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Both rounds of meetings were described as successful by all participants.

SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera, and MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna represented the SLFP. 

SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris, National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa, and Spokesman MP Dullas Alahapperuma represented the SLPP.

Following the discussion, UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said the talks were focused on identifying the country’s challenges and how to address them. “The importance of maintaining the identity of the SLFP was also discussed. The SLFP is looking for a strong policy framework that is capable of guiding the country to prosperity,” he said.