This meeting is pursuant to a secret meeting ex-president Chandrika Kumaratunga had at Ahungalle recently with several party seniors.

SLFP seniors in the joint opposition have not been asked to attend today’s meeting.

One of them is MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who said he was not invited.

When contacted, minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said it was routine to hold meetings of electoral organizers.

VAT too, to be discussed

Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne said the issue of VAT would also come under discussion.

UPFA general secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said the party committee tasked with studying the VAT would discuss its observations with the president today, to be followed by discussions with the finance ministry and the department of inland revenue.

Amaraweera said they would oppose the VAT act, if their amendments were not accepted, noting the SLFP MPs have urged the UNP to shelve until the new fiscal year starting in March the introduction of a new system in place of the existing one.