Presidential election: SLFP stance after talks between MS-MR

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) stance on the presidential election will be decided after the second round of discussions between President Maithripala Sirisena and SLPP and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

“The two leaders met on Monday night. I can’t disclose what transpired at the discussion because they are expected to meet again shortly. I believe the two parties will be in a position to come to an understanding on the position to be taken on the presidential election,” he said. "The talks held between the SLFP and the SLPP have made steady progress. The SLFP Central Committee has requested them to have another discussion before finalizing a common programme."

The MP said SLFP members would never join the SLPP and that the SLFP had several alternatives other than the SLPP and UNP. "The SLFP is not me or someone else. We have a huge membership. Any political party which needs our support must agree to our policies and work programme," he said. “We cannot win the presidential election only by fielding a candidate. We need to pool the support of all anti-UNP forces and minorities. The SLFP is not a racist party which has been formed by uniting all communities."

MP Nimal Siripala De Silva said the SLFP would not support the UNP nor any candidate linked to it but support the candidate who contests against the UNP. The SLFP would disclose a few important decisions on September 3 at its annual convention at the Sugathadasa Indoor stadium.

“We will never support the UNP. However, we are concerned with the current political situation in the country and will take a pragmatic decision,” the MP said.

Responding to a journalist, he said the SLFP had not received an invitation to participate in the SLPP convention. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Video by Suranjith