They have held fruitful discussions on the need to safeguard the victory achieved at the presidential election, said a SLFP minister on condition of anonymity.

He said the ministers were prepared even to contest under the UNP’s ‘elephant’ symbol if a policy agreement is reached to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In view of this, the UNP has put off until Monday the handing in of the party’s nominations.

These ministers have not yet signed the nominations offered them from the UPFA.

Final decision with president

A total of 20 SLFPers loyal to president Sirisena and JHU strongmen have decided to contest the general election together with the UNP.

They are due to meet with the president tonight to take a final decision.

The decisions reached there are due to be placed before the UNP’s special national convention to be presided by prime minister Ranil Wickremesingeh at Campbell Park in Colombo tomorrow.