Basil Rajapaksa, the leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), along with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is scheduled to meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening to deliberate on the prospective political arrangements between the two sides in anticipation of the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
Basil Rajapaksa, who recently returned from the United States, arrived in the country on Tuesday. The timing of the meeting coincides with the formation of electoral alliances among various parties in preparation for the upcoming national elections. Additionally, discussions are ongoing regarding the sequencing of the elections.
A faction of the SLPP, led by MP Nimal Lanza, has already pledged its support to the President and has initiated political rallies nationwide to garner public backing for him. Furthermore, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga has advocated for SLPP’s endorsement of the President.
However, the SLPP, as a party, has yet to formalize any decision. Previously, Mr. Rajapaksa conveyed his discontent to the President regarding his direct engagement with a dissident faction of the party, prompting Basil Rajapaksa’s initiative to meet the President under such circumstances.
According to insider sources, the two leaders are anticipated to address all outstanding matters during the meeting, including the sequencing of the elections.
