10 February 2020 12:09 am
By Kelum Bandara
It is strategically advantageous for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to contest separately in three districts- Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa and Nuwara-Eliya, a party source said yesterday.
A top SLPP source told Daily Mirror that the UPFA, headed by former President Maithripala Sirisena would be encouraged to contest separately in these districts. According to the source, such a contest will relegate the United National Party (UNP) as the main rival to the third position.
- It is widely believed that Parliament will be dissolved immediately after March 1 enabling the Election Commission to declare polls towards the end of April
- After the elections, we can tie up for a coalition. Going by the results of the presidential election, we, the SLPP, are confident of getting three parliamentary seats
- in Polonnaruwa
“After the elections, we can tie up for a coalition. Going by the results of the presidential election, we, the SLPP, are confident of getting three parliamentary seats in Polonnaruwa. In the absence of the UPFA in the fray, the remaining two slots will be secured by the UNP. If the UPFA contests under the leadership of Mr Sirisena, it can get one seat leaving only one for the UNP,” the source said.
Besides, the SLPP believes that it will be advisable for the UPFA to team up with the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) in Nuwara-Eliya for such strategic
political advantages.
In other districts, the SLPP has decided to contest under its ‘lotus bud’ symbol. The SLFP has also agreed to contest under it. Also, the SLFP has consented to offer the leadership to the SLPP in the proposed alliance to be formed in view of the General Elections. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be constitutionally authorised to dissolve Parliament at any time after March 10.
It is widely believed that Parliament will be dissolved immediately after March 1 enabling the Election Commission to declare polls towards the
end of April.