SLFP says willing to have no string attached talks with SLPP

• Backpedals on demand of 30% quota, co-leadership and common symbol
• Says ready to renegotiate terms of proposed coalition with no preconceived conditions  
• Agrees to contest under any symbol, says quota of nominations can be negotiated

By Nuwan Senarathna

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday backtracked on earlier demands to have a 30% quota, a co-leadership role and a common symbol under the coalition proposed with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and said it was willing to approach talks with a clean slate. 

Following a Central Committee meeting last week, the SLFP demanded a co-leadership position for former President Maithripala Sirisena and a 30% quota of nominations for its members at the forthcoming General Election under the coalition. 

However, on Monday SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris rejected the proposal and stated that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would be the sole leader of the coalition. The SLPP Youth Wing also disagreed with the demand of a 30%, quota arguing that there were other parties also expecting nominations under an SLPP-led coalition and therefore allocating 30% was impossible.

Speaking to media at the SLFP Head Office, Parliamentarian Shantha Bandara said they would expect to discuss with the SLPP and renegotiate the terms over the proposed coalition. He noted they would not hesitate to take a sudden decision and that they had faith in the SLPP that terms could be negotiated.

“I think everything can be discussed and renegotiated as necessary. We are trying to form a strong government that can implement President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s manifesto. We can only win if a broader coalition is formed and SLPP knows that, therefore I do not think there will be any disagreement between us,” he said.

Bandara also pointed out that the symbol of the proposed coalition would not be a point that would undermine the formation of the alliance. According to Bandara, the SLFP is ready for talks with no strings attached in relation to the symbol of the proposed coalition.

“The SLFP does not wish to contest the General Election under our party symbol. We will not mind contesting under the SLPP ‘Pohottuwa’ symbol. We have already contested the Presidential Election under that, therefore we will not sabotage efforts to form the proposed coalition,” he added.

Asked about SLPP disagreeing on the 30% quota of nominations at the upcoming General Election, he said nominations would not be an issue. “Those who feel insecure about their preferential votes will disagree with the nomination process. However, we are confident that we can win, therefore we will not get hung up on that matter,” he said.