Mahinda, Ranil hold crucial talks on possible electoral understanding

• Will SLPP remain united or divided? Decision today   

By Kelum Bandara   

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have held  talks with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leader Mahinda Rajapaksa  at his Wijerama residence in Colombo last evening to explore a possible  electoral understanding.  

It happened in the context of some SLPP MPs having already  thrown their weight behind the President while others expressed  reservations about it.    

However, the already visible split within the SLPP will  either be confirmed or ironed out after the crucial meeting to be  conducted today to decide whether to support the President at the  Presidential Election or field its own candidate.  

The party’s executive committee will meet today with Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa in the chair.  

The MPs who are loyal to the Rajapaksas have been skeptical  on supporting the President. However, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, his  brother Basil Rajapaksa and his son Namal Rajapaksa have remained in  contact with the President on and off to explore the possibility of  working out a common electoral arrangement. 

 
They have so far remained noncommittal on their stand  regarding the election, though. In the meantime, there have been  indications that business tycoon Dhammika Perera will also be considered a candidate at the elections.  

An inside source said that Mr. Namal Rajapaksa had expressed some reservations regarding support to the President.  

The same source said the party leadership will try to  strike a balance between the two factions for a common position on the  elections.