SLPP or Sajith - SLFP to hold another final meeting

2 October 2019 02:01 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The SLFP’s Central Committee chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena will meet this Saturday to take a final decision on whether to support Sajith Premadasa or Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the presidential election, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

He said the CC had met on Monday to consider UNP General Secretary, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam's invitation to support Minister Premadasa while talks on forming an alliance with SLPP was put off for October 5.

“If there was no positive feedback from the SLPP by Saturday, we have no option but to consider the invitation extended to us by the UNF,” Mr. Jayasekara said.

He told the weekly news briefing that the SLFP was still hopeful aligning with the SLPP and expected a positive response from it before Saturday.

“We have humbly requested the SLPP to change its rigid stance on the 'pohottuwa' symbol and choose one that is acceptable to both parties. It is not a demand but a request made with bona fide intentions because the SLFP cannot ask its supporters to vote for the 'pohottuwa'. Besides, we are prepared to abandon the SLFP’s hand symbol for the common good,” Mr. Jayasekara said.

He said if the SLFP received a positive reply from the SLPP with the consent to change the symbol to one acceptable to both parties, the SLFP would sign two separate agreements with Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the SLPP and opposition leader Mahinda Rajaopaksa. Mr. Jayasekera said the SLFP had also drafted its policy document and work programme for future elections and a government to be formed in the event of Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins the presidency.

He said the SLPP leaders were in a utopia, thinking they would be able to secure an absolute majority or more than 50% votes which were statistically incorrect.

Citing statistics from local government poll results in February, 2018, Mr. Jayasekara said the SLPP would poll a million votes less than 50% or an absolute majority without the help of the SLFP and added that the SLFP possessed the final one million votes in its vote bank needed for the SLPP to emerge victorious with a 50% + majority at the polls.

“I believe saner counsel will prevail,” Mr. Jayasekara noted. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 13

Lalith Wednesday, 02 October 2019 05:15 AM

Nice, go with UNP to mark the end of SLFP

Ranjan Wednesday, 02 October 2019 05:43 AM

SLPP will win even using any symbol. Pohottuwa won the Maharama Pradeshiya Saba by contesting in `BICYCLE` symbol. This chap will not be in next Parliament because he will lose hands down.

Lion Wednesday, 02 October 2019 05:58 AM

Swan is the symbol that MS contested so he should support the same symbol and prove he is neutral.

FUNNY GUY Wednesday, 02 October 2019 11:08 AM

Should have been a hopper symbol.

Cobra Wednesday, 02 October 2019 06:15 AM

If you want to survive as a party support Sajith and if you want to go to oblivion together with SLPP then support SLPP!!!

Lion Wednesday, 02 October 2019 07:00 AM

If there is a coalition between UNP and SLFP Anura Kumara will get more votes from the floating votes of this country.

Sumal Wednesday, 02 October 2019 07:28 AM

Accepting these garbages back in UNP side will make another 5 years wasted. Let them go where they belong.

Raspi Wednesday, 02 October 2019 07:28 AM

GR needs SLFP and both parties no that. That is why SLFP are demanding more. Maheshs entrance hurts GR more than Sajith since GR was banking on the floating votes. But the SLFP can get a good deal from Sajith rather than GR since the latter's clan is not ready for negotiation because they are believing in their own hype.

Prof Hemantha Wednesday, 02 October 2019 07:39 AM

Clearly Sajith... SL cannot afford a refugee from another country who can be their president

max Wednesday, 02 October 2019 07:45 AM

statistics in 2018 has been drastically changed now towards the favor for GR and your party is in a pathetic situation if measured. If you cannot sit under pohottuwa, can you sit with hansaya which is backed by elephant ?

Jude Wednesday, 02 October 2019 07:55 AM

Be wise!!! ONLY SAJITH GOT majority Tamils AND Muslims Vote, That gives THE winning edge to pass 6.2 million votes thus winning the Presidency!!!

Jude Wednesday, 02 October 2019 07:59 AM

Who ever wins, MUST get majority vote of Muslims and Tamils !!! And the Winning margin will be 350,000 votes and Sajith going to come on top!! Yeah!!!

Yankee Dude Wednesday, 02 October 2019 08:06 AM

UNP supported MS at the last presidential elections in 2015 , SLPP broke away from the SLFP there after . So think positively who should SLFP support in 2019 ? .

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SLPP or Sajith - SLFP to hold another final meeting

Comments - 13

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