SLPP makes bid to win over SLFP

Having sacked Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila over their criticism of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa over the handling of the current economic crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (08) met SLFP leader and former President Maithripala Sirisena for urgent talks.

Political sources said that lawmaker Sirisena was accompanied by several SLFP members, including party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera. Sources said that the SLFP parliamentary group, including MP Sirisena had been present at the March 2 launch of an alternative set of proposals to save then ational economy at the Monach Hotel, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte.

In addition to the President, Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, FM Basil Rajapaksha, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena had represented the government delegation whereas the SLFP group consists of the 14-member parliamentary group.

Sources said that Sirisena personally handed over the rebel group’s proposals to the Maha Sangha and was involved in the rebel group from its inception (SF)