What actually happened at Maithri - Mahinda meeting?

What actually happened ....

at Maithri - Mahinda meeting?

The confrontation which took place yesterday in parliament between the President and former President

has been interpreted by political ideologists from various angles.

Though what was discussed there has still not been stated so far, we have got information that responses of slipping away or of being considered later were responses given by the Maithri faction. It is understood that that discussion had gone on for a period of only one hour (1.45 - 2.45 p.m.). The main point had been to bring forward Mahinda as the Prime Minister candidate and to form an alliance at the next parliament election. The President Maithripala has not given a favourable response in that connection. It had been said that the Party has no tradition of nominating a candidate for Prime Minister and that it would also be unfavourable for the Party itself. The President had pointed out that it would turn out to be unfavourable because the UNP could throw mud at Mahinda and that the votes could decrease in the process.

However when MPs including Welgama and Mahindananda enforced further pressure questioning about this point, the President had pointed out that that if it was a factor so necessary, it could be discussed at the central committee and thereby arrive at a decision.

MP Welgama had expressed his ideas to the media with a sad outlook on his face for not having arrived at an agreement for nominating a candidate for the position of prime minister from the SLFP for the forthcoming general elections. This discussion which was held under five conditions, discussed matters concerning dissolvement of provincial councils on next 15th. As doing so would turn out to be unfavourable to the foundation of votes for the SLFP, it was requested that that action be postponed until the general elections is held. Even regarding that matter the President Maithripala had not responded in a pleasing manner as such.

It was discussed yesterday at the meeting of contesting with the label as the United National Freedom Alliance as previously by joining with favourable Parties instead of competing separately for the next general elections to which President Maithripala finally consented. However, in the process the President had spoken with disappointment about statements made at the last May Day rally by certain Alliance Party leaders. He also pointed out that certain parties had spoken by going beyond leadership of the Party Alliance. The President brought out the point about not granting an opportunity of contesting for those suspected of fraud and corruption, when talking about the manner in which nominations are given to the candidates.

When the subject of the Fraud Crimes Investigation Unit becoming politicalized the President mentioned that he would look into it. It was agreed that these matters would be taken up for discussion at length at the SLFP Central Committee once more in future. The President Maithripala Sirisena had emphasised the necessity of everybody of the Party acting in a disciplined manner in accordance where these matters are concerned. While it has been reported that the participation of Ministers Rajitha Senaratna, M.K.D.S. Gunawardena and Duminda Dissanayaka as well as MP Faizer Mustafa who made speeches as strong opponents of Mahinda together with President Maithripala Sirisena was noted to join in these talks at the last moment as a sort of change, the Mahinda supporters of course did not show a pleasant attitude of them coming into this discussion. It was because that group was those who behaved in a most opposing manner specially over the proposition of bringing former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to be nominated as the prime minister.

MPs Professor G.L. Peiris, Dallas Alahapperuma, Bandula Gunawardena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Kumara Welgama had accompanied former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as discussed previously.