Discussions held last night (Oct. 26) between the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and several civil organisations over fielding a common candidate at the forthcoming Presidential election, had collapsed midway, 'Sri Lanka Mirror' learns through a spokesperson of the National Movement for a Just Society.
The discussions had commenced around 9.00pm at the Kotte Naga Viharaya and was joined by representatives of the National Movement for a Just Society led by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera and 'Pivithuru Hetak' organisation led by Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera.
Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Elmore Perera, Jayampathi Wickremaratne, Sunil Jayasekera, Saman Rathnapriya, former minister of JVP - Chandrasiri Wijesinghe had represented the National Movement for a Just Society while Bandula Chandrasekara and Lalithasiri Gunaruwan had represented 'Pivithuru Hetak'.
Also, political party leaders Mano Ganesan and Asath Salley had also joined the discussion.
As the discussion commenced, the UNP leader's support has been requested to field a common candidate instead of contesting the election himself
It has been explained to the UNP leader that the support of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Jathika Hela Urumaya could be secured by doing so.Strongly declining this request, Ranil Wickremesinghe has elaborated on the need to field a candidate from the main opposition party - the UNP.
Wickremesinghe has added that he would contest the forthcoming Presidential election as he had decided to do so.
Therefore, the discussions have come to a close without reaching any agreement.
Accordingly, the organisations at the discussion have unanimously decided to not to come to an agreement with regard to the proposals of Ranil Wickremesinghe until a definite decision is taken with regard to the common candidate.
Meanwhile, reports say that just before the start of the discussion, JVP propaganda secretary Vijitha Herath left the Naga Viharaya after meeting Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera.
