President Maithripala Sirisena’s response to the UPFA leaders during their recent meeting was extremely negative and damaging, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader Dinesh Gunawardena told Asian Mirror.

Gunawardena pointed out that they held talks on two important matters, namely, appointing a UPFA government and facing the next election as an alliance. However, Sirisena opposed the removal of the UNP government and also opposed giving nominations to Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gunawardena said.

The position Sirisena took was even more negative than what he previously had said, Gunawardena added. Sirisena had earlier said that he does not oppose Rajapaksa contesting in the election from the UPFA.