MS, MR hold crucial discussion

President Maitripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa held a crucial discussion on Monday night regarding the formation of an alliance in view of the upcoming presidential election, informed sources said.  

They said the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and that they were successful. Sources  said the President had indicated that he would update the SLFP on how the ongoing talks between the SLFP and the SLPP were continuing.  

The one-on-one meeting between them took place while preparations are being made for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) convention to be held on Sunday where Mr. Rajapaksa is expected to take over the SLPP leadership and name former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the party’s presidential candidate.  
There were also reports of a meeting between the President and Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the near future. 

The one-on-one meeting took place ahead of the SLPP convention