SLPP in talks with 28 parties to build coalition

• Effort to build broad alliance to defeat UNP at a future election

Twenty-eight parties have discussed the possibility of joining a broad alliance with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), United People’s Freedom Alliance Parliamentarian Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said yesterday. 

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), United People’s Freedom Alliance Parliamentarian Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena

He said efforts to build a broad coalition were aimed at defeating the United National Party (UNP) at a future election and establishing a government that would fulfil the aspirations of the people. 

“Our target is to defeat the United National Party (UNP) and its Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at a future election. 

The Moratuwa Municipal Council has given inspiration to the SLPP at the grassroot level on how to come together to form a united front for a national cause. Here, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) moved away from working with the UNP and created an alliance with the SLPP,” he said.  

The Moratuwa Municipal Council is controlled by the SLPP. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena called on members of the SLFP in other councils to also work with their SLPP counterparts. “The SLFP and other left parties can work with the SLPP. It is important to unify progressive parties. If parties that are currently joined with the UNP step down and shift their alliances to the SLPP, then we can strengthen the party at the Local Government level effectively.”

Abeywardena also noted that 28 parties and organisations had talks with the SLPP to build a broad coalition and the Parliamentarian called on all others to also work with the SLPP to support their future campaign. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa is the de facto Leader of the SLPP, though he and his loyalists have not relinquished their membership with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) publically.    

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