SLFP and SLPP positive: More talks on alliance

Colombo (News 1st): Attention has been drawn towards reaching a decision for the SLFP and the SLPP to enter into an agreement following talks between President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. SLPP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa for the very first time attended talks with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, today (August 27). Talks between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna re-commenced today at the Opposition Leaders Office in Colombo and the SLPP was led by its Chairman Professor G.L.Peiris and Basil Rajapaksa. The SLFP was represented by General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera, Mahinda Amaraweera, and Lasantha Alagiyawanna. Talks between the two parties were not open to the media today. Speaking to the media following the discussions National Organizer of SLPP Basil Rajapaksa noted that talks took place on a positive note and the formation would take place following discussions between the two leaders. He added that they will report back to their party about the developments and once they put forward their proposals they would reach a final decision. When questioned if he is referring to a merger, he noted that there is no harm in thinking that way and that they have no issue in protecting the identity of the SLFP because they too were in that party. He pointed out that a number of proposals for the Presidential candidate were put forward in addition to the proposals presented earlier. One is on changing the electoral system and another is to limit the cabinet. He noted that they will hold discussions with the SLFP to come to a united stance on accepting  Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Presidential Candidate. General Secretary of the SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekera noted that they did not discuss the candidate because their priority was to reach certain decisions. He noted that there were discussions about the candidate and added that they plan on reaching an agreement on policies.