Meeting between opposition and government: Another episode of "Amba Yaluwo"?

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Leader of the opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met today(June 03) to discuss several important matters. The meeting commenced at around 9.30 am this morning. Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Non-Cabinet Minister Harsha de Silva joined the discussions with the Prime Minister, representing the UNP while MPs Udaya Gammanpila. Dinesh Gunawardena, Bandula Gunawardena, Susil Premajayanth and Gamini Lokuge joined the discussions with the opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. Several other state sector officials including the Governor of the Central Bank Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy also joined the discussions. Initially, opposition leader and several other political figures who were present cordially shared an experience on a past "satyagraha incident" Following the cordial conversation, discussions began and it was not open to the media. Following the discussion, several participants shed light on the matters which were discussed. Mahinda Rajapaksa noted that they discussed the issues regarding Ven. Rathana Thero’s continuous fasting and providing compensations via banks to the industries impacted following the 04/21 attacks. He added that they did not talk about politics at the meeting. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Finance said that they discussed on the concession packages they were going to offer to the affected. He added that everyone was in favour of his suggestions. He went onto note that he would make a detailed announcement on what the opposition leader had suggested at the discussion. Dr Harsha de Silva, Non-Cabinet Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution noted that he was overjoyed to see both the governing party and the opposition working together for a common goal. Following discussions with the Prime Minister, the opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to his office to commence the programme "Dukgannarala". "Dukgannarala" is a fresh programme which is implemented to address issues people face politically and otherwise. It was reported that two MPs have been assigned daily to receive people and listen to their issues under the programme. When the opposition leader was questioned about the prime minister's stance on the Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, Mahinda Rajapaksa responded that they did not discuss the matter. Chamara Nakandala of Parapuraka Balaya Movement commenting on the entire discussion noted that this was another episode of "Amba Yaluwo"; eternal fraternity between Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe. According to him, the discussion was not held for the sake of the public, it was about themselves. He supported his opinion by contemplating the history of friendship between the duo. He recalled how Mahinda Rajapaksa assisted Ranil Wickremesinghe when he was to lose his leadership in the party and pointed out how Ranil Wickremesinghe was keen to provide a bulletproof vehicle for Mahinda Rajapaksa in the recent past. Chamara Nakandala went on to add that the pathetic plight of Sri Lanka politics is a result of their personal agendas as they both watch each other's back and secure power for themselves. He continued to note that no new party or a political figure could emerge beyond the two main parties due to "Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Mahinda Rajapaksa factor". He added that since the majority of the country is disappointed with both the government and the opposition, they are looking for alternatives, ultimately threatening the two powerhouses in the country. He stated that as they have no other resolution, they have joined hands which is one of the oldest tactics they had been using to secure power.