SLPP keen to resume coalition talks with SLFP

Tuesday, 6 August 2019 01:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SLPP ready to continue talks with SLFP even after announcing presidential candidate
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By Nuwan Senarathna

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday renewed calls to take forward talks with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to form a coalition to contest the upcoming Presidential Elections and said discussions between President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa could take place this week.

The SLPP also said it stood ready to continue discussions even after its presidential candidate is announced on 11 August.

Speaking to media at the SLPP head office, Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris said the SLPP remained committed to working with the SLFP to create a coalition to defeat the United National Party (UNP) at the upcoming elections.

“We have not given up on talks with SLFP and we still want the SLFP to join with us to form a stronger anti-UNP coalition to create a better future for the next generation. Our door is still open for that. I believe they will support us as our policies and their policies are aligned,” Prof. Peiris said.

So far the SLFP and SLPP have held five rounds of talks and agreed to the basic framework to form an anti-UNP coalition. However, the final round of discussions is yet to commence, which was previously scheduled to be held on 8 August. It is now likely to be postponed.

Despite the SLFP Working Committee empowering President Sirisena to conduct high-level talks with the SLPP’s de facto leader Mahinda Rajapaksa nearly two weeks ago, the two are yet to meet.

Prof. Peiris argued the SLFP’s grass root level would support the SLPP’s presidential candidate as they followed policies that closely aligned with the SLFP. He noted that with the support of the SLFP grass root level organisers, the SLPP’s presidential candidate had a better chance of winning the election.

“At the grass root level the SLFP members support us, therefore I think if we work as one team, we have a better chance. Talks between President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will be held at the earliest convenience, which will help to finalise the formation of a new anti-UNP coalition.”

Prof. Peiris noted discussions between the SLFP and SLPP could be held even after the announcement of their presidential candidate on 11 August. He insisted that talks between President Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa were essential for the future of the proposed coalition.

At the National Convention the leadership of SLPP will be officially given to Opposition Leader Rajapaksa on 11 August and he will announce the SLPP presidential candidate after accepting the leadership of the party.

When asked how Rajapaksa could become a leader when he was a member of the SLFP and keep his position in Parliament, Prof. Peiris noted if such a matter was raised they would take the necessary legal steps to prevent Rajapaksa losing his Parliamentary seat.

Last week United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said they would hold a separate national convention on 2 September to select their own candidate, raising speculation that President Sirisena may run for a second term, resulting in a three-horse race for the presidency.