An adviser to the president and a top figure of Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera’s ‘Pivithuru Hetak’ organization are coordinating these discussions.
One outcome of the talks is the intimation by Gotabhaya that ex-president, Kurunegala district UPFA candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa is ready to bid an honourable farewell to politics.
Gotabhaya has asked that Mahinda be appointed prime minister for a short period if the UPFA gains a majority, of even one seat, in the new parliament, assuring that he would resign within a few months.
If UPFA fails, Mahinda to retire
Mahinda has decided to retire from politics in the event the UPFA fails to gain more seats than the UNF, even if he is elected from Kurunegala.
When contacted, Mahinda’s spokesman Rohan Weliwita strongly rejected reports about a request for an honourable farewell.
Weliwita has told BBC Sandeshaya that this was intended at discouraging voters who would vote for the ex-president.
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