Members of Rajapaksa family against Gota coming forward as next candidate: Minister P. Harrison

COLOMBO (News 1st): The former General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Professor Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa commented on the discussions held to form a new alliance between the SLFP and the SLPP, in Kandy today (July 6). He said that the discussions were held in order to name this new alliance as the Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Peramuna and that the SLPP had handed in this name and agenda to them and vice versa. He continued to say that they are awaiting the arrival of Professor G. L. Peiris from overseas in order to continue these discussions. Piyadasa said that the manner in which the power would be shared between the parties, what sections of the alliance will the two parties hold, and the manner in which the alliance will function is yet to be taken up for discussion. However, he also added that the central working committee of the party has discussed and reached an agreement that the SLFP should be represented in the upcoming Presidential election. Meanwhile the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock Development, Irrigation & Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development, P. Harrison said that when one media briefing on the Presidential elections concludes that someone from the opposition questions whether they are out of their minds. He continued to say that in this case the President and the opposition should sit together and arrive at a decision and make a formal announcement that they have joined hands and that there are no issues in this regard. He further added that it is the members of the Rajapaksa family themselves who are against Gotabaya Rajapaksa coming forward as the next Presidential candidate.