The first official talks between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on forming a new alliance began yesterday.
The talks were held at the Opposition Leader's office and the two parties decided to hold a second round of discussions on March 21.
The talks were attended by former SLFP General Secretary Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, current General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara and MP Thilanga Sumathipala on behalf of SLFP while Prof. G. L. Peiris and Dulles Alahapperuma represented the SLPP.
Alahapperuma told the the media after the meeting that no decision had been taken on forming a joint alliance between the two parties during discussions.
He also said that the two sides had not discussed about a presidential candidate at the upcoming elections.
Alhapperuma however criticised the SLFP’s decision to abstain during the voting at the second reading of the budget in parliament noting it as ‘a grave political mistake’. SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera said the talks between the two sides were successful.
He also stated that no discussion had taken place regarding a common candidate representing both parties at the next presidential election.
Meanwhile, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike replying to queries by journalists about a possible alliance by the SLPP and SLFP following a public event yesterday said joining with those who had questionable reputations will only tarnish the SLFP’s image.
The former President lamented that the SLFP has distanced her from party affairs. Bandaranaike also said that she has no intention of forming a new political party and said she will always be a member of the party her father founded, the SLFP.
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