Parties unite

10 November 2014 04:06 am

The political parties, advocating a common candidate to oppose President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Election, would sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today covering seven elements that include the proposal for the abolition of the Executive Presidency, the Daily Mirror learns.

 

The National Movement for Social Justice spearheaded by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera has mediated this common programme among the parties in the opposition including the United National Party (UNP), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

The leaders of these political parties are also expected to make a public announcement today after signing this agreement.

Besides, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is also playing a pivotal role, especially in rallying the support of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members disappointed with the ruling party at the moment.

The parties agreed last week to put forward a candidate acceptable to all of them under a common symbol.  Several names had been proposed for this.

Among them are the names of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, party’s Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya and Ms. Kumaratunga.
However, no final decision has been taken in this regard.  

Meanwhile, the TNA seems to be divided over its decision to support a common candidate at this election, as a section of the party wants to be neutral.(Kelum Bandara )