Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today confirmed that a discussion did take place between President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and that they had only denied the location of the meeting.

It was recently reported that a meeting between the two rival candidates of the Presidential Election took place at the Speaker’s residence on Thursday (June 25).

However, both the Presidential Media Division and Rajapaksa’s media coordinator denied such a meeting occurred at the Speaker’s residence.

Meanwhile speaking at a press briefing today in Colombo, Minister Abeywardena said that a discussion between the former President and incumbent President did in fact take place on that day and that the President Media Division only denied the location of the meeting.

He stated that the Mahinda-Maithri discussion have reached a certain point, but said he is unable to make an official statement as of yet.

The minister said that as a person who closely associated with the former President, he would extend best wishes to any decision taken by the latter in the future.  

Talks with Somawansa’s party   

He further said that discussions with minor parties on working with the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at the upcoming election would continue and that a discussion with Somawansa Amarasinghe’s new party is slated for 8pm today.

The objective of the discussions is to compile an election manifesto suitable for the people, he told reporters at the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

Abeywardena stated that the Prime Minister had recently spoken about an American electoral system, however emphasized that an electoral system which suits the country should be formulated.