SLPP says no need for separate talks with SLFP

• SLPP stand firms, says SLFP can hold talks with other affiliated parties
• SLFP invites SLPP for one-on-one talks but SLPP says invitation yet to reach them
• SLFP says no new demands, co-leadership and 30% quota already in MoU signed ahead of Presidential Poll
• Coalition talks to be held this week with all parties that backed GR at Presidential Election

By Nuwan Senarathna

Coalition talks between the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) plunged into deeper turmoil yesterday, with the former saying that separate talks with the SLFP were not needed and instead they could join common talks with all other parties that supported President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Elections.  

The SLFP which is a key part of the proposed coalition, previously demanded a 30% quota, a co-leadership role and a common symbol to contest with the SLPP at the General Elections. However, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris and other party members last week rejected the SLFP proposals and insisted that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would be the sole leader of the proposed coalition.

Speaking to Daily FT, SLFP Spokesman MP Weerakumara Dissanayake said General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera had officially invited the SLPP to hold discussions about the proposed coalition and find common ground to contest the forthcoming General Election. The SLPP is aiming to form a government with a two-thirds majority.

“We are not demanding something extraordinary. All our demands were mentioned in the agreement, which was signed before the Presidential Election. We hope the SLPP will stick to the original agreement. As a party we believe that anything can be negotiated if both parties are ready to talk,” he said.

SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said they were yet to receive an official invitation to hold separate talks with the SLFP over the proposed coalition. He noted the SLPP would hold discussions with all affiliated parties this week, with talks expected to focus on the basic structure of the coalition.

“We are yet to receive an invitation to hold discussions with the SLFP. However, talks have already commenced with all affiliated political parties that backed us during the Presidential Election. I do not see any need to hold separate talks with the SLFP,” said.

Kariyawasam pointed out that the SLFP could also join discussions with other parties that backed SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and come to terms that can later be presented to the SLPP. The next round of the discussions will be held this week once Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa returns from his State visit to India.