UPFA General Secretary and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera confirms that the SLFP would definitely contest the upcoming Local Government polls under the UPFA with the symbol, Betel Leaf or Hand.
When asked whether the SLFP can contest under the UPFA symbol when some coalition parties in the UPFA have already joined the Joint Opposition (JO), the Minister said they can contest under the UPFA banner and as such, there is no issue over it.
“Except for three parties, all other coalition partners are with the UPFA and some new parties have also joined hands with us. At present, the SLFP led UPFA rainbow coalition consists of over 20 political parties,” the Minister told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
Minister Amaraweera said there is no basis for the argument put forward by the JO that the SLFPers should quit the Government before the two factions join hands.
A section of the JO is discussing with the UNP to form a UNP Government. Some of those in the JO who make a big hue and cry today were at Sirikotha soon after the last General Election. They went to Temple Trees hoping for some ministerial portfolios.
He said that the SLFP has already finalised its lists of candidates to all LG bodies. At present, the people have firm confidence that it is only the President and the SLFP which have a genuine intention to form a clean Government apart from Pradeshiya Sabhas and Local Government bodies. Therefore, we expect a large number of people to vote for the SLFP this time.
“We are confident to capture the power of majority LG bodies whatever the challenges before us,” he said.