Common candidate of opposition Maithripala Sirisena yesterday met Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for a closed-door session soon after the press conference he addressed at New Town Hall in Colombo.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed several matters pertaining to their mutual agreement on which both parties would carry out their election campaign. At the press conference, Maithripala Sirisena disclosed that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinge would be the Prime Minister under his Presidency.

However, sources from Sirikotha told Asian Mirror that the UNP Leader looked “happier and brighter” after the meeting with Maithripala Sirisena. The duration of the meeting was nearly half an hour. 

No final agreement, according to highly placed party sources, has so far been reached between the two parties. But, all important decision making bodies of the main opposition party, namely G-20 committee, parliamentary group and the Working Committee have given approval to proceed with the common candidate of the opposition, Maithripala Sirisena.

Speaking to “Asian Mirror’ this morning, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said all UNP MPs as well as the top decision making bodies of the party fully welcome Maithripala Sirisena’s candidature at the presidential election.

What is still not clear at the moment is whether former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will play a significant role in a future government headed by Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Speaking to Asian Mirror, a senior figure of the opposition who was instrumental in forming the common opposition front,  said the former President had made it clear that she did not want any position in the government.