He charges that the media is blocking the uniting of the two, and asks that to refrain from doing so.

Liyanage was speaking at a media briefing convened by his party at Nawala yesterday (18).

He said the incumbent president carried out his campaign with a motto of eliminating hatred and he is certain to get his predecessor to join it.

Liyanage charged those close to the two leaders of preventing their joining together, noting that Rajapaksa has declared that he regretted the mistakes he has done.

When a journalist noted that the ex-president has said nothing of that sort, Liyanage said he has said so on one occasion.

Mahinda will contest

The former president will contest the next general election, although it is not yet decided from which party he will contest, he said.

He predicted many revolutionary things to happen within the next three weeks.

Liyanage to give his house to Mahinda?

When a journalist asked Liyanage as to whether he would give his house, where the media briefing took place, to Mahinda Rajapaksa, he did not give a direct answer.

He said it would be useful for the media to take some pictures of the house, as many leading politicians would use it as their meeting point at the upcoming election.

Also present at the media briefing were the Sri Lanka Labour Party’s media spokesman S.V.C. Alexander and secretary Kasuni Liyanage.