SLPP - SLFP alliance yet unregistered; debate on party symbol continues

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Former President and the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Maithripala Sirisena addressed the party supporters at the Abhayapura area in Pulasthigama, Polonnaruwa. He says:-

"We have decided to compete as an alliance together with the SLPP, Sama Samaja Party, Communist party along with Thondaman and Athawulla. So we will be contesting together. There is no issue with that. We are giving our fullest support to the newly elected President to solve this issue under a new Parliament. I have 52 years of experience in politics. I hope to use my knowledge in politics to help the President to develop the country. We have taken decisions after several discussions."

Meanwhile the State Min. of Development Banking and Loan Schemes, Shehan Semasinghe said;

"We will be presenting ourselves as the flower bud, there is no issue between the SLFP and the SLPP. I believe one or two people from the SLFP are trying to create a conflict between the parties to forward their own personnel agendas. The people request the flower bud. Accordingly, we will contest as the flower bud."

Journalist: Is the alliance registered? State Minister:- We haven't registered the alliance yet. We expect to hold discussions between the SLPP, the SLFP and the leaders of the two parties. We should contest under the symbol of the flower bud. We should contest under the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa. He should become the leader of the parliament." Meanwhile, the State Minister of Social Security, Tharaka Balasuriya speaking at an event said;

"There is a political issue here. Last time we saw some SLFP MPs and Ministers using the sticker of Mahinda Rajapaksa. After the election, they joined the good governance. Again they take up the posters of Mahinda Rajapaksa before the election. I don't think that it is fair. There is a small disadvantage for us from the SLFP."

State Minister of Lands and Land Development, S. B. Dissanayake also speaking of the prevailing concern said;

"Some from the SLFP think we should contest alone. I think even the party's General Secretary is of that stance. That is their opinion. If they think it is better to contest alone, those parties should make that decision. But today this massive front that is being formed is the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna, the parties joining them have become minor parties."

However the General Secretary of the SLFP, Dayasiri Jayasekara says;

"People who just want to say something are bringing up problems. Last week I stated very clearly that the Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Alliance has no issue with contesting under the flower bud. We can contest under the flower bud. I think the group of people who don't want to do that are trying to destabilize President Gotabhaya Rajapakse's rule."