At this afternoon’s meeting of UPFA affiliate party leaders, the president strongly objected to Rajapaksa’s being given nominations, said one of the participants.

Commenting on this, former minister Basil Rajapaksa said the ex-president has already decided to contest from a party other than the UPFA and the SLFP.

A final decision in this regard will be taken by Mahinda Rajapaksa, who will chair a meeting later today to discuss this, according to him.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila also confirmed this.

Political sources say Mahinda Rajapaksa will form a separate alliance of minority parties to contest the polls.

Chamal as prime ministerial candidate

Meanwhile, minister and SLFP nomination board member Sarath Amunugama told the media today that there was a proposal for former speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to lead the UPFA’s campaign.

When journalists asked UPFA national organizer Susil Premajayantha about this, he said such a decision has not been taken.