UNP to hold more talks before making official announcement on contesting LG polls

• Says SLPP was just one of the parties it has held discussions with
• Claims it will hold meetings with more political parties and groups in the coming days 
• But UNP General Secretary has already confirmed UNP will join hands with SLPP to contest LG polls

The United National Party (UNP) issuing a statement yesterday said it will hold more discussions with several political parties and groups before making an official announcement on the manner it will contest at the upcoming Local Government elections. 

The party said the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was just one of the many parties it held discussions with and it has already commenced discussions with many other parties supporting the Government as well as others including independent groups. 

However, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara already confirmed to the media yesterday that the party has decided to join hands with the SLPP to contest the upcoming election. 

“We will contest the election together, for some areas we will contest under the flower bud symbol, for some under the elephant symbol and for some under a common symbol,” UNP General Secretary said.

“We have already reached a general consensus to contest the Colombo Municipal Council, Kandy Municipal Council and the Puttalam Urban Council under the elephant symbol,” he added. Range Bandara made these comments following the second round of talks held yesterday between the SLPP and the UNP. 

According to the UNP statement, the party has held several rounds of talks with many parties where the UNP was represented by United National Party Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijayawardena, President Vajira Abeywardena, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and Party Executive Director Shamal Senarath.