By Lahiru Pothmulla   
Official talks between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would commence today to discuss a political alliance among other issues, SLPP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa said.  

Addressing a news briefing held at Party Head office yesterday, Mr. Rajapaksa said that they would attend the discussion with an open mind with no strings attached. Representing the SLPP camp, its Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris, Senior Lecturer Jagath Wellawatte and Joint Opposition National Organiser Dullas Alahapperuma would attend the meeting.   Mr. Rajapaksa said the SLFP delegation would likely include Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara, Thilanga Sumapthipala or Mahinda Amaraweera. Also he said their presidential candidate would be decided by former President and their leader Mahinda Rajapaksa when the time is right.  

He said former President Rajapaksa’s decision would be put forward to the SLPP national convention for endorsement.  “The SLPP’s presidential candidate will be decided by the former President. It is immaterial whether the candidate would be one of the Rajapaksas or another, we will back him/her,” he said.