SLFP-SLPP coalition, Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Alliance formed

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The memorandum of understanding to establish the Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Alliance was signed at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo today (October 31). The event was chaired by Presidential Candidate of the SLPP Gotabaya Rajapaksa. 17 parties including the Sri Lanka Freedom party attended this event. The parties that signed the MOU include the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, The Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, Sri Lanka Communist party, the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, the Democratic Left Front, National Freedom Front, and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya. The Ceylon Workers' Congress, The Eelam People's Democratic Party, the National Congress, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, the Desha Vimukthi Janatha Party, Tamil Mahajana Vimukthi Alliance, the Eksath Mahajana Peramuna, the Vijayadarani Jathika Sabhawa, and the Muthpokkuth Thamilar Kachchi, and the other member parties of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Alliance. The aim of establishing the new alliance is to ensure the victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and travel with one political vision at the upcoming elections. After the MOU was signed an oath was taken to follow one policy. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Presidential Candidate of the SLPP: "I think we can call this the largest alliance established with representation from all areas including the South, the North, East, and the hill country. All these parties have united for one aim. All of these parties love our county. Today we have before a massive challenge before us. The sovereignty of our country, the unitary status and the security of our country have broken down. We banded together today to uplift the economy of the country, protect democracy, establish the rule of law, give the people a better life and to create a prosperous country after eradicating poverty and bridging the gap between classes of people in our country. We can overcome this challenge. We have always overcome the challenges that we accepted. Today we have united based on the manifesto that was presented recently. We have presented practical programs to achieve the policies presented in our manifesto. I hope that all of these parties will support me after my victory to fulfil these promises that were made to the general public. We know that the support received in parliament is very important. The support received from the provincial councils and local governments is also important. We will be contesting from this alliance in all of the upcoming elections to get this support that is required. We have created this alliance to face the people. Through this alliance, we will be able to establish strong provincial councils, local governments and to establish a strong government inside parliament. No matter the difference we might have as separate parties we have united to achieve one goal. I request that we all work together to win this election and achieve that goal." Meanwhile, The Urban Representatives' Conference of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna was held in Colombo today. The event was held in Gunasinhapura, Colombo under the auspices of the Leader of the SLPP, Mahinda Rajapaksa. A large group including stalwarts of the party had attended the event. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Leader of SLPP: "They did not say anything when the prices of goods were increased. They voted in favour of it and gave approval. At present, they get on stage and say prices of goods should be reduced. They have the ability to reduce prices even now because it is still their government. They speak against such a backdrop. We cannot accept the promises they make while speaking as if they are in the opposition. They did not fulfil their duties when they were in power."