President’s allegation on Lotus Tower will not affect coalition talks: Amaraweera

• Says President did not target any particular individual 
• Amaraweera says disagreement over symbol can be solved 
• SLFP ready for contingency plan if talks fail

By Nuwan Senarathna 

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday said the coalition talks between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would continue despite President Maithripala Sirisena’s allegation over a controversial advance payment for the construction of the Lotus Tower.

The President alleged during the opening ceremony of the Lotus Tower on Monday that a loss of Rs. 2 billion took place due to an advance payment being made to a Chinese company for the construction of the tower.  

Speaking to media at the SLFP Head Office, UPFA General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera said the President had not targeted any particular individual with the allegation, insisting he had only highlighted an incident that had taken place during the construction of the tower. 

“The President did not target any particular individual. He just revealed what he was told by State officials. During the President’s speech he did not say anything that will cause tension between the two parties,” he said.

Amaraweera said the next round of coalition talks would be held this week as scheduled. He noted that the SLPP had not said or indicated that it would walk away from coalition talks. According to Amaraweera, SLPP leaders have shown the importance of forming a broad coalition to contest the upcoming Presidential Elections. 

Referring to the prevalent debate over the symbol for the proposed coalition, Amaraweera said they would try to find common ground in this regard during the next meeting. He noted both parties had understood how talks should be continued.  “I am hoping we will be able to agree on the symbol for the proposed coalition during the next meeting. Apart from the symbol, both parties have agreed on the policy framework and how to work together in the future. Therefore, I hope the talks will be successful.”

While noting that the SLFP was committed to forming a coalition with the SLPP, he however revealed that the SLFP had a contingency plan in the event coalition talks were to fail. He pointed out the SLFP would name its candidate if talks failed. 

“As a precaution, we have already informed the Election Commission that we will field a candidate for the Presidential Election. However, that does not mean we are going to walk away from coalition talks – that is just a contingency plan.”

Amaraweera said the SLFP was yet to decide on its presidential candidate as they were still banking on the formation of the coalition.