SLFP insists no rift with UPFA, will contest together

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today insisted that there was no rift with the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and said that they will contest the Parliament election together.

SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said that several rounds of talks were held over the past few days between the SLFP and UPFA partners, and the talks were positive.

He said that the final list of candidates contesting the Parliament election will be finalised over the next few days.

UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha?said that the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), which had withdrawn from the UPFA this week, had not formally informed the UPFA that it had left the alliance.

Premajayantha also said that while there are some minor issues among the political parties in the UPFA, the issues can?be resolved within the alliance.

Meanwhile, Yapa said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will contest the August 17 Parliament election under the UPFA ticket.

He denied reports that several conditions had been placed for Rajapaksa to contest the election under the UPFA.

The Parliament elections are being held a few weeks before the UN Human Rights Council meets in Geneva where Sri Lanka will also be discussed.

A report related to human rights abuses committed during the war, especially when Rajapaksa was President, will be discussed at the September session of the Council.

Premajayantha however said that the UPFA is prepared to address the concerns set to be raised at the UN Human Rights Council, if it wins the August election and forms the next Government. (Colombo Gazette)