25 February 2019 12:01 am
By Kelum Bandara
The leaders of the political parties aligned with the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) are reported to have requested President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to have one on one meeting and work out a formula for the formation of a broad political alliance.
The alliance is proposed to be made between the UPFA and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
The UPFA leaders including the President and the Opposition Leader met last Friday. However, SLPP heavyweights Basil Rajapaksa and Prof. G. L. Peiris were not present at that meeting.
According to informed sources, the SLPP is not willing to compromise its lotus bud symbol in the formation of this alliance.
Against this backdrop, the two leaders - the President and Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa - were requested to engage each other and work out the formula to be presented at the next meeting.
A date has not yet been fixed for the next meeting.
The SLPP is not willing to compromise its lotus bud symbol in the formation of this alliance