SLFP to call off alliance with SLPP if talks fail next week - Dayasiri

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided to call off the proposed alliance with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) if talks fail next week, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

Speaking to Times Online, Mr. Jayasekara noted that the SLFP, during its final discussion with the SLPP next week, would continue to seek a new symbol, should an alliance be formed to contest at the upcoming presidential elections.

The SLPP, which is represented by a flower bud, has not shown any positive response towards the SLFP's repeated calls to change the symbol if an alliance is formed.

He said that the SLFP's Central Committee would decide on future matters concerning the proposed alliance if the discussions proves to be effective.

The SLPP has already nominated former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate.

Recently, SLFP leader President Maithripala Sirisena, in a political rally, said that the next government would be formed by the SLFP, indicating that the alliance with the SLPP would be unlikely.

(Reporting by Damith Wickramasekara)