Maithri - Basil - Gota commence discussions -- Sajith-Karu decisions soon -- Anura Kumara from 'Kusalanaya' instead of 'bell'

Maithri - Basil - Gota commence discussions -- Sajith-Karu decisions soon -- Anura Kumara from 'Kusalanaya' instead of 'bell'

Though there was a strategy to choose President Maithripala Sirisena as the Presidential candidate and to establish a 'Pohottu-ath' alliance in days ahead and subsequently after making Maithri the President, to elect Mahinda as the Prime Minister, the President took action in October last year to instal Mahinda Rajapaksa as Premier as a fulfillment of conditions. However, all such arrangements had to be folded up in the face of the law, both factions owed no responsibility about matters relating to that agreement. 

It was after that Mahinda has got together with his brothers and launch a Rajapaksa camp and create
an alliance based on 'Pohottuwa'. But as flow of the Presidential election is different from the "small election" which was victorious, the Mahinda camp envisages that it is more advantageous to increase the stack of votes bu using all strategies at his disposal. For this very reason Mahinda wishes to draw the Maithri-supporting SLFP faction to his camp. 

While Podu Jana Peramuna - SLFP discussions would be recommencing day after tomorrow (27), Mahinda as well as Basil getting together will be conspicuous. Towards latter stages Maithripala Sirisena has fixed a date to confront Gotabhaya, it is reported. At these discussions, focus would be on the Presidential election and SLFP and Podu Jana Peramuna establishing an alliance. It is reported that the President, opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, national organiser of Podu Jana Peramuna Basil Rajapaksa would be present at this meeting and as the two committees who participated previously at the discussions proved unsuccessful, those two committees have been changed. 

Under these circumstances general secretary of SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekera, general secretary of the Alliance Mahinda Amaraweera and member of parliament Lasantha Alagiyawanna have been appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party committee. It was heard that permission was granted by its party leaders to Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Presidential candidate of Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna Party to hold discussions with any political party he wishes to and extract its co-operation for the Alliance headed by Podu Jana Peramuna. This decision was arrived at party leaders' meeting held last Tuesday headed by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa. As such, Gotabhaya Rajpaksa has decided to have discussions with, starting from President Mathripala Sirisena and a number of other parties. Under these circumstances he met Douglas Devananda. On the same day he has confronted Basil Rajapaksa and Rauf Hakeem at other discussions. Long discussions have taken place on those occasions over the prevailing political situation. 

In the meantime, UNP has thrown accusations that opposition-supporting media are day by day floating and sowing various misconceptions about the UNP candidate in a manner that it would create a conflict within the party. It was the opinion of leader Ranil to solve this issue by getting together. Malik Samarawickrema, Kabir Hasheem and Ranjith Maddumabandara have participated in the discussion of seniors of the UNP held with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasigha last 21st Wednesday. What they pinpointed to UNP leader was that the present conflict should be solved without the party breaking apart. The Premier has shown interest in that connection and has suggested that a final decision be taken over names that have been nominated and that a lengthy survey has to be carried out by meeting on a daily basis from Thursday. The foremost names are that of Sajith and Karu, inside news have reported.

In the process, speaker Karu Jayasuriya of United National Party and company whose name has been nominated for Presidential candidacy has come out with a condition forwarded to the party. It is that he would accept his candidacy if Ranil Wickremasingha together with Sajith Premadasa, Rauf Hakeem, Champika, Mano Ganeshan and all other parties should come to one platform and thereby extend their support. He has also added that executive committee of the party and MPs should approve his nomination without any division. 

On the other hand, former President Chandrika Bandaranaika Cumaratunga has made a request from President Maithripala Sirisena to refrain from appointing Sajith Premadasa to the position of Presidential candidate and in giving support to bring Rajapaksas into power, it is reported. 

A special discussion took place recently on 22nd night between President and former President Mrs. Chandrika at Presidential secretariat. The discussion extended upto a period of about twenty minutes and she has informed President to focus attention to fulfill this request. If her request is granted, she has stated on this occasion that she is equipped with affording necessary protection in future, it is reported. It is after about an year that a direct discussion has transpired in this manner between her and the President. 

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna was named to contest the forthcoming Presidential election by Jathika Jana Balawegaya under Prajathanthrawadi Jathika Sandanaya, it is reported. As such, Anura will not be coming forward under the symbol 'seenuwa'. It is also reported that it has been planned to change the name of Prajathanthrawadi Jathika Sandanaya of which MP Wijitha Herath from the JVP holds the position of secretary. It is further reported that discussions are underway as to whether he would be contesting under the symbol of 'Kusalanaya' of Prajathanthrawadi Jathika Sandanaya or if it is to be changed. 

On an inquiry made from elections secretariat, what a spokesman there said was that the name and symbol of a registered party could be changed before an election is announced. However, as the Elpitiya provincial council elections are in the offing, it is not possible to register any new parties.