SLPP to sign MOU with ten parties to form new coalition

• New coalition will back SLPP Presidential candidate
• Discussions with SLFP to continue  

Eyeing the upcoming Presidential Elections, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will sign a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with ten political parties today, to form a new coalition.

The MOU will be signed at the official residence of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at 9 am, with the participation of Joint Opposition (JO) parliamentarians. Issuing a statement, the SLPP said the new political coalition will contest the upcoming Presidential Election.

“The Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya, Lanka Kamkaru Eksath Peramuna, Thamila Eksath Nidahas Peramuna, Elawar Democratic Party, Muslim Ulama Party, Liberal Party, Nawa Sihala Urumaya, Prajathanrawadi Jathika Viyaparaya, Eksath Lanka Maha Sabhawa, and Boomi Puthra Party will be signing a MoU with SLPP,” the statement said.

The SLPP said political parties that were members of the JO will also be part of the new coalition, and all parties have already expressed their wiliness to be part of the coalition.

Meanwhile, JO MP Dilum Amungama told media on Thursday at SLPP Head Office that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has not agreed to be part of the coalition.

“The SLFP is yet to inform whether they will be part of this new coalition. They are willing to consider forming a Government together, and discussions between two parties are still going on. Therefore we hope the SLFP will also be part of this coalition,” Amunugama said.

However, Amunugama acknowledged a disagreement arose between the SLFP and the SLPP over naming the Presidential candidate, and insisted that they will only back a SLPP Presidential candidate.

According to Amunugama, SLFP and SLPP will only be able to form a coalition if both parties find common ground to name one Presidential candidate, who will be named by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on 11 August. 

The SLPP said earlier this week they will expect to hold a special discussion with the SLFP to work together to support their Presidential candidate, who is due to be announced on 11 August at the Party’s maiden convention.