We could form an alliance with JVP : MP Dayasiri Jayasekara

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The SLFP declared that if they cannot reach an agreement with the SLPP, they would field their own candidate for the Presidential Election. Dayasiri Jayasekara, General Secretary of the SLFP stated that when forming an alliance focussing a presidential election it was customary to consult all the parties to decide the presidential candidate. He added that everything was carried out without deciding on the prime ministerial candidate. He went on to add that no one from the SLFP wants to sabotage the alliance, however, if the SLPP carries on to overestimate themselves they would part ways. Mahinda Amaraweera, General Secretary of the UPFA shared that they are prepared to contest together, however, they would not want to engage in an endeavour that would destroy the party. He confirmed that if they are not to contest together they would contest alone as the SLFP and the Working Committee has already decided so. He added that for the elections of the Elpitiya PS, the UPFA will present members. Nimal Siripala de Silva, the Senior Vice President of the SLFP demanded the flexibility of the SLFP to be considered a weakness. He stated the importance of uniting to contest the common enemy. He assured that they could not join hands with Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa or Karu Jayasuriya. He finally added that General Secretary, Dayasiri Jayasekera who holds talks with the SLPP should understand this deeply and reach a decision which would please the party supporters. Journalist: Have you already decided to put forward someone from your party if the alliance discussions fail? Dayasiri Jayasekara confidently noted that they have other alternatives if the alliance discussions between SLFP and SLPP fail, one of them was to join JVP and form a broad alliance.