Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has requested that his ‘faction’ be given a quota of nominations from the UPFA in the forthcoming elections as a pre-requisite for talks with President Maithripala Sirisena, highly placed sources told Asian Mirror.

The two leaders are expected to meet on Wednesday at the Presidential Secretariat. They are expected to discuss the matters pertaining to the next general election.

UPFA MP Gamini Lokuge, a supporter of Mahinda Rajapaksa, told local media that Rajapaksa opposes a national government and wants UPFA to conduct a separate campaign.

Meanwhile, Rajapaksa also has raised concerns on the arrest of his brother Basil Rajapaksa and the imminent arrests of other officials of his administration, informed sources said.