SLFP group of 16 to meet Gota

By Skandha Gunasekara

The SLFP group of 16 are set to meet former Defence Secretary and Presidential aspirant Gotabhaya Rajapaksa tomorrow to discuss various issues, including the current political climate of the country and the latter’s hopes of becoming the next President.SLFP stalwart and member of the group of 16 MP W. D. John Seneviratne told the Daily FT that there was a possibility that the group of 16 would back the former Defence Secretary as the next Presidential candidate. 

“We are going to discuss a range of issues with the former Defence Secretary, including his aspiration of becoming the next President of Sri Lanka. If former President Mahinda Rajapaksa backs Gotabhaya Rajapaksa then the group of 16 will definitely back him as well,” MP Seneviratne said.

Seneviratne went on to say that, personally, he fully supports Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the next Presidential candidate. 

“I have maintained for some time now that Gotabhaya Rajapaksa should be the next Presidential candidate. I am committed to supporting him and when I meet with the former Defence Secretary, I hope to discuss how I could help him in this endeavour.”

Seneviratne went on to say that the group of 16 will also be meeting the Joint Opposition in the coming days.