The suggestion was made by the minister during a UNP Working Committee meeting last Thursday (02).

The organisers are of the view that contesting the UNP under the 'Swan' symbol would be a betrayal of the party, as parties such the Tamil National Alliance, Jathika Hela Urumaya and sects of the Sri Lanka Freedom

party which joined together under the 'Swan' symbol for the January Presidential election have already stated that they will not contest the election alongside the UNP.

They are also considering the possibility of smaller parties and groups calling for a common candidate for the post of Prime minister instead of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, should talks aiming at a coalition be held.

However, speaking at the Working Committee meeting, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had sternly emphasised that a final decision on the manner of contesting the Gen. election should be taken soon.