SLFP to make final decision on joining SLPP

By Sandun A Jayasekera

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is to hold a crucial central committee meeting chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday to explore the possibility of forming an alliance with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to face the UNP at the presidential election, SLFP spokesman, Weerakumara Dissanayaka said.   

However, he admitted that forming an alliance with the SLPP was extremely remote because it was not prepared to change its ‘pohottuwa’ symbol while the SLFP was adamant on it being changed because SLFP supporters could not be asked to vote for the ‘pohottowa’ while ignoring its own ‘hand’ symbol.   

Mr. Dissanayaka told a media conference that the SLFP was ready to accept symbol other than that of the ‘hand’ symbol and the SLPP must also do the same by leaving out the ‘pohotttuwa’ symbol.   

“The stumbling block for a common alliance is the SLPP’s reluctance to change the party symbol. We have agreed on many other areas like a common policy and work programme, the constitution and campaign strategies. If the Central Committee fails to take a final decision, we will have to finally decide whether to join with the SLPP or go our separate ways,” he said.   
Commenting on the attempt by the UNP and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to abolish the executive presidency, Mr. Dissanayaka said the SLFP had decided not to attend any discussions on the matter after declaration of the presidential election.  He said the SLFP condemned the covert moves initiated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to introduce the 
20th Amendment.