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Moves to heal rift between MS and MR
View(s):Peace initiatives are under way to bring together President Maithripala Sirisena and his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Two emissaries, former Ministers P.B. Ekanayake and Kumara Welgama, met Mr. Sirisena yesterday to discuss moves at rapprochement.
When Mr. Welgama asked President Sirisena to allow Mr. Rajapaksa to contest the upcoming Parliamentary elections, he asked “who told you that I was not allowing it?” He added, “He can contest the elections by all means.
However, President Sirisena said, he could not as leader of the SLFP name Mr. Rajapaksa as the party’s prime ministerial candidate. This was because there were allegations against Mr. Rajapaksa with regard to a number of matters. Moreover, minority groups did not favour him.
Another subject of discussion was the moves to arrange for a joint May Day rally. Last Friday, an invitation was extended for this purpose by SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. Yesterday, UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha met the Ven. Muruthetuwe Ananda Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Abhayarama Temple in Narahenpita to discuss the matter. The prelate is also the head of a large nurses’ trade union.
Mr. Rajapaksa has located his office in the Abhayaramaya Temple premises.