That was the main request from Rajapaksa’s side at a discussion between Messrs. Sirisena and Rajapaksa at the parliament room of the president today.

Former minister Kumar Welgama, who participated as a delegate of the ex-president said everyone was waiting to know the prime ministerial candidate, but that no satisfactory response was received.

LG bodies

When asked as to whether the prime ministerial candidate was discussed, minister Duminda Dissanayake of president Sirisena’s side said the SLFP central committee would decide on that in the future.

The president has not given a favourable response to another request with regard to the extension of the term of local government bodies, said Welgama.

FCID gazette

Mr. Sirisena agreed to a request to withdraw a gazette that gives powers to the financial crime investigation division of the police to make political interventions, he said.

Both leaders agreed to meet for yet another round of discussion.

MP Dullas Alahapperuma, another delegate from the Rajapaksa side, said the talks were cordial, but no satisfactory agreement could be reached.

President Sirisena has stressed to his predecessor the need for SLFP members to respect decisions of the party’s CC.

His side also included Rajitha Senaratne, M.K.D.S. Gunawardena, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Faizer Mustafa.

Rajapaksa’s side also included G.L. Peiris and Bandula Gunawardena.