Prez, MR, Basil to discuss possible alliance for Polls

• They will meet at President’s Residence this evening

By Kelum Bandara  
Basil Rajapaksa who spearheads the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) , along with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening to discuss the future political arrangements between the two sides ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections.  Basil Rajapaksa, who was in the United States, arrived in the country on Tuesday. The meeting takes place at a time when electoral alliances are being formed among various parties in view of the national elections pending. Also , it takes place at a time when the parties discuss which election should be conducted first .   

A section of the SLPP coordinated by MP Nimal Lanza has already pledged support to the President. The group has already started conducting political rallies across the country to galvanize public support for the President.  

Also, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga also said the SLPP should back the President. However, the SLPP, as a party, has not yet taken any formal decision. Earlier, Mr. Rajapaksa expressed his displeasure to the President over his direct contact with a breakaway group of the party  
Basil Rajapaksa is seeking to meet the President in such a context. According to inside sources, the two leaders are expected to discuss all outstanding issues.  
The leaders are expected to discuss which election should be conducted first .