SLFP yet to finalise to support SLPP: UPFA Mahinda Amaraweera

General Secretary of the UPFA Mahinda Amaraweera said the SLFP had to confront many obstacles, protests and vilifications during the months of talks with the SLPP to form an alliance led by two parties to face the UNP at the Presidential poll. The Pradeshiya Sabha, Provincial Council members and Parliamentarians had been divided on whether to support the SLPP or the UNP during 10 rounds of talks between the two parties. Addressing the media at the party office yesterday, former Minister Amaraweera said party leader, President Maithripala Sirisena had a discussion with Gotabaya and Basil Rajapaksa even on Tuesday night before deciding to support Mr. Rajapaksa and again met Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa last morning. “The victor will be the candidate who gets the support of the SLFP. That is definite and final. Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) leader S.thondaman has also pledged his support to Gotabaya Rajapaksa after he met him on Monday. Douglas Devananda is also supporting him,” he said. The two Mous to be signed by the SLFP with Gotabaya Rajapaksa.the SLPP will introduce the programme of the new government to be formed that include a new electoral system with the abrogation of the PR system, cabinet with a maximum number 30 Ministers, a national policy for each and every sector like health, education, tax, environment, agriculture, industry, banking and a single law for the entire country etc. that would not change with the change of governments, he emphasized. There will be no character assassinations and mudslinging at the poll campaign and election law would be adhering to the letter by the SLPP – SLFP alliance, he added. Former Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said the April 21st terrorist attack on a number of churches and up market hotels made a huge negative impact on the country and the damage and stigma were irreversible. “We considered all options at stake before deciding to support Gotabaya Rajapaksa. therefore it is a bold but right decision and victory is assured to the candidate we support,” Mr. Samarasinghe stressed. Former Minister Faizer Musthapha said Gotabaya Rajapaksa had already won the support to be extended to him by the SLFP. “The UNP is of the view that it will get minority votes but it is President Maithripala Sirisena who commands the confidence of minorities and getting their votes. In 2015, he obtained 700,000 Tamil and Muslim votes. Minority communities don’t take their decisions on ethnic lines anymore but on national lines,” he added. President Sirisena has done much to promote reconciliation among minorities and therefore, majority of votes from Tamil and Muslim communities should be marked in favour of Gotabaya Rajapaksa known that SLFP is supporting him” Minister Musthapha stressed. Jaffna District SLFP Parliamentarian, Angajan Ramanathan also addressed the news briefing.